LIBRARY  OF  PRINCETON 

JUN      5  2003 


THEOLOGICALSWARY 


BS  2616  .W5  1895 

White;  Wilbert  W.  1863-1944 

Thirty  studies  in  the  Gospe 

of  John 


THIRTY  STUDIES 


IN 


THE  G0SPft^¥4i:LHIL_ 


Jt^N     5  2003 


ISOGICALSEMINAR^ 


PROF.  W.  W.  WHITE,  Ph.  D., 


of  the  Bible  Institute,  Chicago 

Sometime  Prof,  of  Hebrew  and  Old 

Testament  Literature  in  Xenia 

Theological  Seminary 


FLEMING   H.  REVELL   COMPANY  - 

New  York  Chicago  Toronto 

Publishers  of  Evangelical  Literature 


COPYRIGHTED  1895  FLEMING  H.  RBVELL  COMPANY. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


PART   ONE. 


1  Introduction 9 

2  Main  Diagram 13 

3  Charts 14 

4  Special  Suggestions  to  Students 26 


PART   TWO. 


Thirty   Studies  in  the  Gospel  by  John. 


Directions  for  Work. 


1  Introductory — The  Author's  plan. . 29 

2  Testimony  of  John  the  Baptist. .  y. '..?. .   31 

3  Testimony  of  Mighty  Works  (Part  I). .   33  X»3^ 

4  Testimony  of  Mighty  Works  (Part  II).   34 

5  Testimony  of  the  Father T.OI 36 

6  Testimony  of  the  Scriptures  (Part  I).  . .   37  ^;tji7. 

7  Testimony  of  the  Scriptures  (Part  II). .   39  ' 

8  Testimony  of  the  Scriptures  (Part  III).   41 

9  Review    of  preceding  eight  Studies...   43 

10  Testimony  of  Jesus  Himself  (Part  I).  . .   46 

11  Testimony  of  Jesus  Himself  (Part  II). .   47 

5 


6  STUDIES  LY  THE 

12  Testimony  of  V^arious  Individuals 48 

13  Testimony  of  the  Holy  Spirit  (Part  I).  .  49 

14  Testimony  of  the  Holy  Spirit  (Part  II).  51 

15  Testimony  of  the  Holy  Spirit  (Part  III)  52 

16  Laws  of  Testimony 53 

17  Review  of   preceding  sixteen  Studies.  55 

18  The  Prologue  (C.  I.  1-18) 58 

19  Instances  of  Belief  and  Unbelief 60 

20  Development  of  Belief  and  Unbelief .. .  61 

21  Secret  of  Belief 63 

22  Explanations  of  Unbelief  (Part  I) 64 

23  Explanations  of  Unbelief  (Part  II) 65 

24  Review  preceding  twenty=three  Studies  66 

25  Results  of  Belief 6y 

26  Results  of  Unbelief 69 

27  Duty  of  Belief  (Obedience  m  John) ....  70 

28  Sin  of  Unbelief;    Time  and  Object  of 

Belief 71 

29  The  Epilogue — A  Chapter  Study 72 

30  Review  preceding  twenty-nine  Studies  73 


PART  THREE. 


Notes   on   Main   Topics  for  Reference. 

For  Main  Topics  see  under  Main  Diagrajn,  13 

testimony. 

I     Testimony  of  John  the  Baptist ^^ 

2.    Testimony  of  Jesus'  Mighty  Works  ...  84 


GOSPEI.  BY  JOHN  7 

3  Testimony  of  the  Father 86 

4  Testimony  of  the  Scriptures 87 

5  Testimony  of  Jesus  Himself 8g 

6  Testimony  of  Various  Individuals 93 

7  Testimony  of  the  Holy  Spirit 94 

RELIEF, 

1  Instances  of   Belief 95 

2  Instances  of  Unbelief 96 

3  Development  of  Belief 96 

4  Development  of  Unbelief 100 

5  Secret  of  Belief 102 

6  Explanations  of  Unbelief 102 

7  Results  of  Belief 104 

8  Results  of  Unbelief 105 

9  Duty  of  Belief 106 

10  Sin  of  Unbelief 108 

1 1  Time  of  Belief 109 

12  Object  of  Belief 109 

PART   FOUR. 

1  Topics  for  Study ill 

2  Words  for  Study 113 

3  Specimen  w^ord  Study 113 

4  Places  for  Study 114 

5  Characters  for  Study 115 

6  Outline  for  Chapter  Study 1 16 

7.  Tabular  Comparison  of  the  four  Gos- 
pels  117 


8  STUDIES  IN  JOHN 

8  Helps  for  the  Study  of  the  Gospel  by 

John 1 1 8 

9  Courses  of   Bible  Study  Suggested  ....  120 

10  Lists  of  Best  Texts  in  John 122 

11  Order  for  Group  Meetings  Suggested.  .123 

12  Various  Rapid  Readings  of  John  Sug- 

gested   124 

13  Some  Rules  about  Testimony 129 


INTRODUCTION. 


"Life!  Life!  Eternal  life!"  was  the  cry  of 
Christian  as  he  ran  from  his  home  in  the  city  of 
Destruction  with  his  fingers  in  his  ears,  refusing 
to  look  behind  him. 

The  Bible  announces  the  glad  tidings  that 
eternal  life  is  obtainable.  "To  make  wise  unto 
salvation"  is  the  primary  object  of  Scripture. 
"Ye  may  have  life,"  are  precious  words  forming 
a  part  of  the  key  verse  of  the  heart  of  the  Bible. 

One  becomes  possessor  of  eternal  life  by  believ- 
ing. We  are  made  "  wise  unto  salvation  through 
faith  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus"  (2  Tim.  3:  15). 

God  does  not  ask  any  one  to  believe  without 
reason.  The  Bible  has  been  given  to  induce  be- 
lief. In  it  are  found  good  and  sufficient  grounds 
for  belief.  This  gospel  by  John  was  written 
"  that  ye  may  believe  that  Jesus  is  the  Christ,  the 
Son  of  God,  and  that  believing  ye  may  have  life 
in  his  name."     (See  John  20:  30,  31). 

Faith  rests  on  evidence,  not  on  explanation. 
One  does  not  compromise  his  intellect  when  he 
accepts  as  true  on  the  testimony  of  a  competent 
witness  what  he  does  not  understand. 

The  eleventh  chapter  of  Hebrews  is  the  faith 
chapter  of  the  Bible.  The  fourth  gospel  may  be 
called  the  faith  book.  The  key  words  are  zi'itness 
and   believe.     The  former  is  found  nearly  fifty 


10  STUDIES  IN  THE 

times,  the  latter  nearly  one  hundred  times  in  the 
chapters. 

In  the  key  verses  of  the  book  (20:  30,  31)  the 
author  informs  us  that  he  might  have  written 
much  more,  but  intimates  that  in  his  judgment  he 
has  presented  sufficient  evidence,  and  conse- 
quently rests  his  case.  We  may  proceed  upon 
the  assumption  that  if  a  case  is, not  made  for 
Jesus  Christ  in  this  book  no  case  can  be  made. 
With  all  candour  let  us  examine  the  evidence. 

The  Gospel  by  John  became  a  new  book  to  the 
writer  less  than  two  years  ago  when  reviewing  a 
former  study  of  it  in  comparison  with  the  other 
three  Gospels,  he  re-read  20:  30,  31,  and  the 
question  flashed  into  his  mind:  Did  John  make 
his  case  ?  The  determination  was  at  once  made 
to  examine  the  book  anew  in  the  light  of  that 
question.  I  began  immediately  to  read  from  the 
beginning.  "In  the  beginning  was  the  Word, 
and  the  Word  was  with  God,  and  the  Word  was 
God,"  etc.  I  thought:  John,  you  are  making  it 
more  difficult  for  me  to  believe.  You  are  not  giv- 
ing me  reasons  for  believing.  You  are  simply 
making  assertions.  I  continued  to  read  until  I 
reached  verse  7  where  are  the  words  "the  same 
J  came  for  witness  that  he  might  bear  witness  of 
the  light,  that  all  might  believe  through  him." 
This  gave  me  the  clue.  I  said:  John  is  about  to 
introduce  evidence  as  in  court.  Lawyer-like  he 
is  stating  (as  before  a  jury)  at  the  very  outset 
what  he  proposes  to  prove.  I  was  interested  by 
this  time  as  never  before  in  this  wonderful  book. 
I  was  viewing   it  in   a  new  and  different   light. 


GOSPEL  B  V  JOHN  \  i 

With  the  words  witness  and  believe  in  mind  I 
ran — literally  rayi  through  the  chapters  and  be- 
came really  excited  as  I  discovered  the  relation  of 
these  words  to  the  material.  I  am  free  to  confess 
that  the  marvellous  unity  of  the  book  for  the  first 
time  began  to  be  understood.  For  many  years  I 
had  been  very  near — really  in  sight — yet  it  had 
been  hid  from  my  eyes. 

At  this  point,  recognizing  that  to  introduce 
testimony  in  behalf  of  the  Christ  was  John's  pur- 
pose, I  remembered  the  summary  of  testimony 
found  in  John  5:  31-40,  which  I  had  discovered 
once  in  studying  v.  39  for  the  purpose  of  deciding 
whether  the  Revised  Version  was  to  be  prefer- 
red to  the  Authorized  Version.  In  the  light  of  the 
context  I  had  come  clearly  to  the  conclusion  that 
the  Revised  was  better.  Thispassageintroduced 
the  different  witnesses  in  the  case  and  determined 
the  order  in  which  they  should  be  called.  Com- 
pare these  verses  with  the  order  of  development 
in  the  Main  Diagram  p.  13.* 

It  may  be  noted  in  respect  to  John's  method 
that  he  deals  with  positive  evidence.  "John's 
method  of  dealing  with  error  is  incomparable. 
He  does  not  argue  against  people  living  in  the 
dark.  He  simply  floods  the  world  with  light,  and 
a  heretic  must  hunt  a  hole  if  he  wants  darkness. 
In  the  prologue  he  does  not  mention  what  later 
theology  calls  Unitarianism.  He  simply  pulver- 
ises it.      In  his  first  epistle  he  deals  very  sharply 

*  It  is  due  the  writer  to  state  here  that  he  was  wholly 
ignorant  of  the  contents  of  the  various  commentaries,  Godet, 
Westcott,  etc.,  until  after  the  development  of  the  subject  as 
found  in  this  book. 


12  STUDIES  IN  JOHN 

with  it.  His  aim  in  both  Gospel  and  Epistles 
■was  not  the  overthrow  of  any  particular  heresy, 
but  the  creation  of  an  atmosphere  in  which  no 
heresy  could  live."  * 

"St.  John  is  remarkable  both  in  his  history 
and  in  his  writings,  for  his  abhorence  of  false 
doctrine,  but  does  not  attack  error  as  a  contro- 
versialist. He  states  the  deep  truth  and  lay? 
down  the  deep  moral  teachings  of  Christianity, 
and  in  this  way  rather  than  directly  condemns 
heresy."  f 

"Luther  is  reported  to  have  said  that  if  a 
tyrant  succeeded  in  destroying  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures, and  only  a  single  copy  of  the  epistle  to  the 
Romans  and  of  the  Gospel  of  John  escaped  him, 
Christianity  would  be  saved.  He  spoke  truly: 
for  the  fourth  Gospel  presents  the  object  of  the 
Christian's  faith  in  its  most  perfect  splendor,  and 
the  epistle  to  the  Romans  describes  the  way  of 
the  faith  which  leads  to  this  object  with  an  incom- 
parable clearness.  What  need  of  more  to  pre- 
serve Christ  to  the  world  and  to  give  birth  ever 
anew  to  the  Church  ?"  X 

"  O  Almighty  God,  whom  truly  to  know  is  ever- 
lasting life;  grant  us  perfectly  to  know  Thy  Son 
Jesus  Christ  to  be  the  Way,  the  Truth,  and  the 
Life;  that,  following  the  steps  of  Thy  holy  Apos- 
tles, we  may  steadfastly  walk  in  the  way  that 
leadeth  to  eternal  life;  through  the  same  Thy  Son 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen." 

*  Chancellor  W.   F.   McDowell  in  Studies  in  the   English 
Bible,  Iliff  School  of  Theology,  University  of  Denver, 
t  Writer  in  Smith's  Bible  Dictionary. 
t  Godet  in  Commentary. 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  13 

''  L.IFE." 
"  YE  MAY  HAVE  LIFE  " 

"  BELIEVING,    YE     MAY     HAVE    LIFE     IN    HIS    NAME." 

"  Many  other  sigtis  therefore  did  Jesiis  in  the  presence 
of  His  disciples  which  arc  not  written  /'«  this  book:  but 
these  are  written  that  ye  may  believe  that  Jesus  is  the 
Christ,  the  Son  of  God :  and  that  believing  ye  may  have 
life  in  His  name y    John  xx. 30,  31. 

REDEMPTION 

OF 


THE  WORLD 


OUTLINE  OF  STUDY  OF  JOHN,  THE  HEART  OF 
THE  HEART  OF  THE  BIBLE. 


TESTIMONY. 

Cf.  John  V.  30-40. 

♦ 

Testimony ofjohn  the  Baptist 

Testimony  of  Jesus'  mighty 
works. 

Testimony  of  the  Father. 

Testimony  ot  the  Scriptures. 

Testimony  of  Jesus  Himself. 

Testimony  of  various  indi- 
viduals. 

Testimony  of  the  Holy  Spirit 


BELIEF. 

Instances  of  Belief, 
Instances  of  Unbelief. 
Development  of  Belief. 
Development  of  Unbelief 
Secret  of  Belief. 
Explanations  of  Unbelief. 
Results  of  Belief. 
Results  of  Unbelief. 
Duty  of  Belief. 
Sin  of  Unbelief. 
Time  of  Belief. 
Object  of  Belief. 


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7.6  STUDIES  IN  THE 


SPECIAL  SUGGESTIONS  TO  STU- 
DENTS. 


1.  Read  these   suggestions   over   once  each 

week, 

2.  Have  a  separate  envelope   for  each  study, 

chapter,  topic,  place,  character,  word, 
etc.,  and  distribute  your  material  as  you 
find  it.  Envelopes  can  be  purchased  for 
8oc.  per  thousand  which  will  serve  your 
purpose. 

3.  Have  a   special   envelope   for  difficulties; 

another  for  questions. 

4.  Have  a  special  envelope  for  "  Things  to  do. 

5.  Refer  frequently  to   the  diagrams  in  this 

book. 

6.  Draw  diagrams   for   yourself,  thus   fixing 

facts  in  the  mind. 

7.  Read  this  gospel  in  the   Greek   if  you  are 

able  to  do  so. 

8.  Let  proper  distribution   of   work   be  care- 

fully studied  where  groups  of  students 
use  this  book.  Read  over  order  for 
group  meeting  p.  123. 

9.  Do  not  become   discouraged   if   you  find 

yourself  unable  in  a  short  time  to  master 
the  work  here  outlined.  Take  the  mate- 
rial as  it  comes.     Be  thorough. 


COSPEL  li)'  JO//y  '     27 

10.  When  a  difficulty  arises   have  a  season  of 

prayer  over  it. 

11.  Assign  certain   chapters  to   each  member 

of  the  chiss  (in  a  class  of  21  each  mem-- 
ber  will  have  one  chapter)  for  which  he 
will  be  held  specially  responsible  as  to 
its  teaching  on  the  topic  in  hand.  This 
should  not,  however,  encourage  disre- 
gard of  i)orti()ns  not  assigned.  The 
whole  should  be  studied  by  all  as  far  as 
possible. 

12.  Where   a  group  is   studying,  one   or  more 

helps  may  be  assigned  to  each  member 
who  will  be  held  responsible  for  reports 
from  time  to  time. 

13.  The  following  is  but  a  suggestion  of  what 

is  possible  in  relation  to  helps. 

a.  In  connection  with  Studies  iii.  and 
iv.  ask  some  one  to  report  chapter 
4th  (pp.  101-133)  of  "  A  Lawyer's 
Examination  of  the  Bible  "  by  Rus- 
sell. 

6.  In  connection  with  Studies  vi.-viii. 
hear  report  of  chapters  5th  and 
8th  of  same  volume. 

c.  In   connection   with    Study   xiii.  ask 

some  one  to  report  in  five  minutes 
chapter  8th  of  Stevens'  Johannine 
Theology. 

d.  In   connection  with   Study  xxv.  hear 


28  STUDIES  IN  JOHN 

report  of  chapter  6th  of  "A  Law- 
yer's Examination  of  the  Bible." 
e.  In  connection  with  Study  xxv.  Storrs' 
masterly  volume  on,  "The  Divine 
Origin  of  Christianity  indicated  by 
Its  Historical  Effects"  should  re- 
ceive  the  attention   of  the  student. 

14-  Kecord  results. 

15-  Meditate. 
r6.     Memorize. 

17.  Pray,  obey,  pray.  See  John  14:21  23  If 
the  student  should  fail  to  prove  the  truth 
of  these  verses  the  author  of  these  Studies 
will  not  have  accomplished  his  aim. 


PART  T^WZ'O. 


STUDY  I. 


INTRODUCTORY — THE  AUTHOR  S  PLAN. 

Directiofis  for  work  on  Main  Topic. ^ 

1.  Read    aloud   the  author's  declaration    of 

purpose  in  writing-  the  book,  chapter  20: 

30,  31- 

2.  Compare  his   purpose  in  writing  his   first 

epistle  as  found  in  i  John  5:12. 

3.  Read  again  John  20:30,  31  and  note: 

a.  John  manifestly   possesses  more  evi- 

dence than  he  here  gives. 

b.  He    apparently    considered   that  he 

had  given   a  sufficient  amount  of 
evidence. 

c.  He  is  very  definite   in   his  statement 

of  purpose. 

d.  He  emphasizes   the   fact  that  2.  Per- 

sonal Saviour  is  the  object  of  be- 
lief. 

e.  We  shall  be  much  interested  in   con- 

sidermg  the   evidence   in   the  case. 
The  questioh  in  our  minds  will  be: 


*  See  lootnote  p.  30.  2g 


30  STUDIES  IN  THE 

Does  John  make  a  case  for  Jesus 
Christ? 

4.  Refer  to  Main  Diagram  p.  13,  and  note: 

a.  The  four  gospels  are  represented  as 

the  heart  of  the  Bible. 

b.  The  gospel  by  John  is  represented  as 

the  heart  of  the  heart  of  the  Bible. 

c.  The  whole  of  the    Bible   has  as  its 

chief  purpose  testimony  in  behalf 
of  the  Christ.  Cf.  iv.  and  vii.  under 
Testimony.  John  20:  30,  31  is  ap- 
propriate for  the  entire  Bible. 

5.  Read  carefully  the  Introduction  pp.    9-12 

noting  especially  the  relation  of  5:31-40 
to  the  development  of  this  subject. 

6.  Read  rapidly  the   entire  gospel   by  John, 

using  the  Revised  Version,  underscoring 
the  words  Believe  and  J  fitness  and 
note  with  care  the  connection  in  each 
case. 

7.  Write  out  a  brief  statement  of   the  results 

of  your  study.  Relate  to  some  friend 
what  you  have  learned. 


*  Consult  order  for  group  meeting  p.  123  and  note  that 
the  development  of  the  Main  Topic  is  one  part  only  of 
the  work.  Reports  on  Special  Topics,  Words,  Places, 
Characters,  Diffictilties,  etc.,  should  be  heard.  These  of 
course  must  be  brief. 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  31 


STUDY  II. 


TESTIMONY   OF   JOHN   THE    BAPTIST. 

Directions  for  work. 

.  Glance  through  the  gospel  and  note  all 
passages  in  which  John  the  Baptist  is 
named.  Nineteen  times,  and  always  he 
is  called  simply  John.  Cf.  his  title  in 
Matt.,  Mk.  and  Luke.  Why  this  differ- 
ence? 

.  Read  the  prologue  (John  i:i-i8)and  at- 
tempt to  answer  the  question  why  the 
testimony  of  John  is  here  referred  to. 
See  Godet  V.  i.  p.  516. 

.  Read  the  remainder  of  chapter  i,  and  ac- 
count for  the  prominence  of  the  testi- 
mony of  John  here. 

.  Consider  the  competency  of  John  the  Bap- 
tist as  a  witness.  In  doing  this  note 
(and  here  compare  material  in  other 
gospels): 

a.  His  character. 

b.  His  mission. 

c.  Testimony  of  people  as   recorded  by 

John  in  chap.  10. 

d.  Testimony  of  Jesus  about  John  re- 

corded in  various  places. 


32  STUDIES  IN  THE 

e.     Read     quotations    from    Expositor's 
Bible,p.  78  of  this  book. 

5.  Note  Jesus'  appeal  to   testimony   of  John. 

Chap.  5. 

6.  Note  by  whom   is  it  declared  to  be  John's 

mission  to  testify. 

7.  Note  various  occasions  recorded  in  Chap. 

I,  on  which  John  testified. 

8.  Note  facts  concerning  which  he  testified 

on  these  occasions. 
Q.     Note   testimony  of  John  found  in  chap.  3, 
when   his    disciples   complained  of  the 
popularity  of  Jesus. 

10.  When  you   have  a  little   spare  time  sludy 

the  words  in  John  3:31-36  to  determine 
whether  they  are  the  words  of  John  the 
Baptist,  or  those  of  the  evangelist,  or 
those  of  the  Baptist  and  evangelist  in- 
termingled. 

11.  Discover  statement  of  results  of  testimony 

of  John  the  Baptist  as  recorded  in  John 
10. 

1 2.  Compare  Matt.,  Mark  and    Luke   for  sup- 

plementary material  on  this  topic.  Read 
Stalker's  two  Johns  pp.  189-270. 

13.  Compare  results  of  your  work  with  devel- 

opment found  on  p.  'j'j   of  this  book. 

14.  Write  to  some  friend  about  what  you  have 

learned  in  this  study. 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  33 


STUDY  III. 


TESTIMONY   OF   JESUS'    MIGHTY   WORKS. 

(part  I). 
Directio7is  for  Work : 

1.  Read  John  20:30,31  and   note   the   use   of 

the  word  st£-ns. 

2.  Read   John   20:30,31    a   second   time   and 

note  the  use  of  the  word  ^^ese  in  the  ex- 
pression, "  But  these  are  written." 

3.  Read  rapidly   through   the   entire   gospel 

and  note  the  use  of  the  word  sz£-n,  which 
is  found  seventeen  times.  Copy  on  pa- 
per in  order  every  verse  of  the  gospel  in 
which  the  word  si'^n  occurs.  Preserve 
for  reference. 

4.  Consult  and  study  charts  pp.  15-25  in  this 

connection, 

5.  Make  a  diagram  of    your  own  and   locate 

the  seven  miracles  recorded  by  John  in 
the  book  proper, 

6.  Study   these  seven   signs   to   discover,  if 

possible,  the  principle  of  their  selection 
from  the  forty  recorded  by  the  four 
evangelists.  Read  here  Expositor's 
Bible  V.  I,  pp.  171,  180,  or  p.  84  this 
volume. 

7.  Study   in   connection   with   each  sign  the 

occasion,  the  place,  the  time,  the  observ- 
ers, the  method,  the  results. 


34  STUDIES  IN  THE 

8.  Note  especially  the  relation  of  the  raising 

of  Lazarus  to  Jesus'  own  death. 

9.  Read  in  Matt.  Mark  and  Luke  the  record 

of  some  of  the  "  many  other  signs  "  which 
Jesus  did  in  the  presence  of  his  disciples 
which  are  not  written  in  this  book. 

10.  If  time  allows  make  an   exhaustive  study 

of  the  recorded  miracles  of  our  Lord  as 
suggested  by  diagram  p.  25. 

11.  Compare  results  of  your  study  with  notes 

on  p.  84  of  this  book. 

12.  Lay  aside  all  helps   and  write    out  a  brief 

statement  of   what  you   have  learned  in 
this  study. 
i3.     Write   to   a  friend  about  the   signs  in  the 
gospel  by  John. 


STUDY  IV. 


TESTIMONY    OF     JESUS'    MIGHTY    WORKS. 
(part  II). 

Directions  for  Work. 

[.  Read  John  5:31-40,  and  note  the  different 
witnesses  to  which  Jesus  appeals. 

I.  Read  in  chapter  10  other  appeals  of  Jesus 
to  the  testimony  of  His  mighty  works. 
Note  occasion,  audience,  effect,  etc. 

3.  Compare  Jesus'  answer  to  John's  messen- 
gers (Matt.  11:4-6)  for  his  own  estimate 
of  His  mighty  works. 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  35 

4.  Read  the  gospel  through  rapidly  and  note 

every  passage  in  which  the  word  work 
(which  is  found  23  times)  occurs.  Copy 
on  a  sheet  of  paper  for  reference  every 
verse  in  which  the  word  occurs. 

5.  Look   into   the   difference  of   meaning  in 

the  original  of  these  two  words,  sigti  and 
works. 

6.  Study  the  following  definitions  of  the  word 

sign:  '•' etnbodiment  of  truth  in  deed;" 
''object  lesson;'''  ''deed  having  signifi- 
cajtce  /  "  "  token  ". 

7.  Consider  the  following  definitions  of  work: 

"an  accojnplishment ;'''  "  a  deed  which 
is  natural  to  the  doer."' 

8.  In   your  study    of    this   subject   examine 

charts  pp.  15-25  with  care.  From  mem- 
ory draw  diagrams  for  yourself. 

9.  Read    Westcott's    Introduction    in    Bible 

Commentary,  pp.  75,  76. 
ro.     Read  Dod's  in  Expositor's  Bible   on  John, 
Vol.  II,  pp.  422-427. 

11.  Read  Farrar's  Messages  of   the  Books,  p. 

108. 

12.  Read  the  Two   Johns  of   the    New  Testa- 

ment, by  Stalker,  pp.  240-244. 

13.  Compare  pages  84,  85  of  this  volume. 

14.  Write  out  brief  statement  of  results  of  your 

study.     Relate  the  same  to  a  friend,  and 
write  a  letter  to  another  friend  about  it. 


36  STUDIES  IN  THE 

STUDY  V. 


TESTIMONY  OF  THE  FATHER. 

Directions  for  IVork. 

1.  Read  John  5:31-40  and  note  the  different 

witnesses  to  which  John  appeals.  Note 
place  of  the  Father's  testimony  and  that 
it  is  distinguished  from  that  of  the  Scrip- 
tures; also  from  that  of  the  mighty  works 
which  however  Jesus  declares  to  have 
been  done  in  the  Father's  name.  Com- 
pare passages  where  Jesus  asserts  that 
by  the  Spirit  of  God  He  wrought. 

2.  Discover   in  chapters  6,  7  and  8  other  ap- 

peals of  Jesus  to  the  testimony  of  the 
Father  in  His  behalf. 

3.  Study  John  the  Baptist's  account  (in  chap. 

i)  of  the  witness  of  the  Father  at  the  bap- 
tism. 

4.  Study   occasion  for,  and  effects  of   voice 

from  Heaven,  account  of  which  is  given 
in  chapter  12. 

5.  Compare  other  instances  of  a   voice  from 

Heaven  to  Jesus,  record  of  which  we 
have  in  the  gospels. 

6.  Study  1:14  to  discover  whether  the  evan- 

gelist here  refers  to  the  transfiguration. 
Cf.  Peter's   account   of  it  in  i  Peter  1:17. 

7.  Read  i  John  5:9,   10  on  the  testimony  of 

Father. 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  37 

8.  Read  also  i  John  i:io;  2:4,  22  where  peo- 

ple are  Ipvingly  called  Jiars.  Here  is  the 
sweet  violence  of  truth  displayed. 

9.  Study  testimony  of  the  Father  to  Jesus  es- 

pecially in  the  matter  of  the  resurrection 
in  such  passages  as  Acts  2:24,  32,  36:  3: 
15;  4:10;  I  Cor.  J5;  Rom.  1:4. 

10.  Read  the  entire  gospel   and   note   every 

passage  in  which  the  word  Father  occurs. 
Study  relationship  of  the  Father  to  Jesus 
as  presented  in  the  4th  gospel. 

11.  Write  to  a  friend  about  what  you  have 

learned  in  this  study. 


STUDY  VI. 


TESTIMONY  OF  THE    SCRIPTURES   (PART  l). 

Direciio7is  for  H  ^or'k. 

I.  Read  John  5:31-40  once  more  and  note: 
a.  That  Jesus  in  v.  31  either  (a)  waives 
His  right  to  testify,  or  (b)  tells  the 
Jews  they  would  not  accept  His 
testimony  about  himself  if  He 
should  give  it,  or  (c)  tells  them  that 
His  testimony  uncorroborated  they 
are  not  asked  to  accept.  Surely 
He  does  not  mean  to  say  that  he 
is  not  speaking  the  truth,  for  cf. 
8:14. 


38  STUDIES  IN  THE 

b.  That  He  appeals  to  the  testimony  of 

another  which  He  is  sure  is  true.  vs. 

32,  34,  36. 

c.  That  He  appeals  to  John's  testimony 

not  because  it  is  the  strongest 
which  He  has  but  in  the  hope  that 
they  who  had  counted  John  such  a 
great  man  would  listen  to  his  testi- 
mony. 

d.  That  He  appeals  to  the  testimony  of 

John  the  Baptist,  His  mighty  works, 
the  Father  and  the  Scriptures  (i.  e. 
the  Old  Testament)  in  order. 

e.  That  He   declares   the   trouble   with 

His  hearers  to  be  not  a  lack  of  evi- 
dence but  wilful  refusal  to  accept 
the  testimony.  For  this  reason  they 
will  not  come  to  Him, v.  40. 
/  Re-read  the  entire  passage  and  note 
the  superiority  of  the  revised  ren- 
dering of  verse  39.  Evidently  Je- 
sus is  not  advising  these  hearers  to 
study  the  Scriptures  further.  He  is 
disappointed  that  after  their  study 
of  the  Scriptures  from  childhood 
and  His  own  manifestations  among 
them  they  do  not  recognize  Him  as 
the  Messiah  whom  the  Scriptures 
(i.  e.  the  Old  Testament)  announce. 
2.  Read  the  gospel  by  John  through  rapidly 
for  all  appeals  or  references  to  fulfilment 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  39 

of  Scripture.  Write  these  out  on  a  sheet 
of  paper  and  preserve  for  reference. 
Note  the  chapter  in  which  the  greatest 
number  occurs.  Study  each  and  exam- 
ine with  care  the  Old  Testament  passage 
or  passages  to  which  appeal  is  made. 

3.  Glance  through  Matthew,  Mark  and  Luke 

and  note  quotations  of  and  appeals  to 
fulfilment  of  Scripture.  Which  gospel 
contains  the  greatest  number?     Why? 

4.  Write  out  on  a  slip   of   paper   results   of 

your  work.     Relate  the  same  to  a  friend. 

5.  Write  to  a  friend  to  whom  you  have  not 

yet  written  about  this  work,  and  relate 
what  you  have  learned  in  this  study. 


STUDY  VII. 

TESTIMONY  OF  THE  SCRIPTURES  (PART  II). 

Directioits  for  Work. 
I.     Glance  at  Main  Diagram  and  note: 

a.  The  part  of  the  Bible  referred  to  by 

"the  Scriptures"  is  the  Old  Testa- 
ment— The  books  from  Genesis  to 
Malachi. 

b.  That  while  we  have  already  exam- 

ined the  testimony  of  the  Father, 
yet  in  the  chart  in  the  space  as- 
signed to  the  O.  T.  are  written  the 


40  STUDIES  IN  THE 

words  THE  FATHER.     Inquire  into 
the  reason  for  this. 
c.     Note  the  relation  of  the  terms  the 

FATHER, THE  SON  and  THE  HOLY 

SPIRIT,    observing    that    the    son 
touches  all  four  spaces  assigned  to 
the  gospels. 
2o     Read  Luke  24:44. 

3.  Note  the   following  distribution  of  books 

according  to  the  Hebrew  Bible  under  the 
three  divisions  there  mentioned: 

a.  The  Law — Genesis,  Exodus,    Leviti- 

cus, Numbers,  Deuteronomy. 

b.  The  Prophets — Joshua,  Judges,  Sam- 

uel, Kings,  Isaiah,  Jeremiah,  Eze- 
kiel,  Hosea,  Joel,  Amos,  Obadiah, 
Jonah,  Micah,  Nahum,  Habakkuk, 
Zephaniah,  Haggai,  Zechariah,  Mal- 
achi. 

c.  The  Psalms — Psalms,  Proverbs,   Job, 

Canticles,  Ruth,  Lamentations,  Ec- 
clesiastes,  Esther,  Daniel,  Ezra,  Ne- 
hemiah.  Chronicles. 

4.  Collect  as  many  definite  Predictions  about 

the  Christ  as  time  will  permit: 

a.  From  the  Law. 

b.  From  the  Prophets. 

c.  From  the  Psalms. 

5.  Collect  as  many  typical  fore-shadowings 

of  the  Christ  as  time  will  permit: 

a.  From  the  Law. 

b.  From  the  Prophets. 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN 


41 


8. 


c.     From  the  Psalms. 
What  is  the  most  striking  direct  predic- 
tion found: 

a.  In  the  Law? 

b.  In  the  Prophets? 

c.  In  the  Psahiis? 

What  is    the   most   striking   typical   fore- 
shadowing found: 

a.  In  the  Law? 

b.  In  the  Prophets? 

c.  In  the  Psalms? 

Write  to  a  friend  about  this  study. 


STUDY  VIII. 


TESTIMONY    OF    THE    SCRIPTURES    (PART    III). 

Directions  for  Work. 

I.  Divide  the  Old  Testament  time  into  the 
following  twelve  periods  and  assign  an 
important  direct  prediction  and  a  typi- 
cal fore=shadowing  to  each  so  far  as  you 
may  be  able: 


^ 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

S 
o 

9 

o 

10 

T3 

II 

12 

c 

C 

C 
0) 

T3 

bx) 

P 

.2 
_2 

.2 
"> 

4) 

"on 

60 

'c 

o 

s 

.2 

-a 

c 

P 

CO 

1 

bxi 

.2 

o 

1fi 

c 

CQ 

c; 

1 

> 

c 

c 

o 

rt 

o 

1 

o 

c 

X 

o 

< 
1 

Oh 
1 

1 

1 

Y 

;3 

5 

1 

5 
1 

1 

1 

k 

1 

1 

-d 

1 

-a 

1 

1 

1 

1 

t3 

1 

73 

1 

13 

1 

1 
T3 

o 

.2 

o 

.2 

o 

o 

.2 

.2 

.2 

O 

'C 

4> 

■^ 

'C 

ui 

c 

'C 

(U 

<u 

<u 

<u 

a; 

<u 

0) 

0) 

<u 

<u 

<U 

cu 

Oh 

Oh 

Q. 

Pi 

0. 

Pl, 

a. 

cu 

Oh 

0. 

Oh 

42  STUDIES  IN  THE 

2.  Collect  passages  from  the  law,  the 
PROPHETS  and  the  psalms  (see  Study 
VII.  3)  arranging  them  in  order  of  time 
as  they  refer  to  Jesus'  life  and  work. 
/.  e.  Collect: 

a.  Passages  relating  to  His  ancestry,  etc. 

b.  Passages  relating  to  His  birth. 

c.  Passages  relating  to  His  early  life. 

d.  Passages  relating  to  His  later  life. 

e.  Passages  relating  to  His  death. 

f.  Passages  relating  to  His  resurrection. 

3.  Four  lines  of  evidence  are  commonly 
cited  for  the  divinity  of  Christ  as  follows: 

a.  Divine   names   are  given  Him,  and 

claimed  by  Him. 

b.  Divine  attributes  are  given  Him  and 

are  claimed  by  Him. 

c.  Divine  works  were  and  are  wrought 

by  Him. 

d.  Divine  worship  was  and  is  rendered 

to  Him. 
Cite  passages  from  The  Scriptures  so  far 
as   you  may  be  able  verifying  the  points 
in  the  following  outline. 
"THEY  TESTIFY  OF  ME." 


^  r    Titles  \  ^-  Human 
,  I.  iities-i^^  Divine 


r    A*.*,  -u  4.^    >  a.  Human 
[.  Attributes  ^^^_  Divine 


r  a.  Prophet — specific — typical 

3.  Works  \  b.  Priest — specific— typical 

(  c.  King — specific — typical 

4.  Worship. 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  43 

^- Titles  I  - -i-- 
a.A«nbutes|-Hun;an 

cr;  I  r  a.  Prophet — specific — typical 

Ph  I  3.  Works  ]  b.  Priest — specific — typical 

—:  I  (  C.King — specific — typical 

■^  \  4.  Worship 

^  '  I    Titles  \  ^'  Human 
3  I  ^-   ^'^'^^^b.  Divine 

^^   I  ^    Attributes  i  ''^-  ^""^an 
fiH  j  -•  ^«r't)utes  I  ^^  Divine 

g  ]  ^  a.  Prophet — specific — typical 

fS  I  3.  Works  \  b.  Priest — specific — typical 
^1  (  c.  King — specific — typical 

;z;  t4-  Worship. 
4.     Do  not  fail  to  write  to  a  friend  to  whom 
you  have  not  written  for  a  year.     In  the 
letter  state  briefly  the  result  of  your  study 
of  this  subject. 


STUDY  IX. 


REVIEW  OF   THE    PRECEDING   EIGHT    STUDIES. 

Directio7is  for  lf^orl\ 

1.  Without  referring  to  notes   glance   down 

the  MAIN  TOPICS  p.  5,  and  recall  what 
you  are  able  in  connection  with  each 
study. 

2.  Answer  the  following  questions: 

a.     Quote  accurately  John  20:30,  31. 
d.     Quote  accurately  i  John  5:12, 


44  STUDIES  IN  THE 

c.  Make  four  or  five  statements  about 

John  20:30,  31,  in  analysis  of  the 
passage. 

d.  Explain  the  relationship  of  the  words 

believe  and  witness  to  the  material 
in  the  4th  gospel. 

e.  Mention  an  incident  or  fact  from  each 

chapter  in  order  in  the  gospel  by 
John. 

f.  Give  a  brief  statement   of  the   testi- 

mony of  John  the  Baptist;  his 
competency  as  a  witness,  occasions 
when  he  testified,  facts  about  which 
he  testified,  results,  etc. 

g.  Cite  passages  in  which  the  word  5z^« 

is  used  and  state  relation  to  context 
and  to  plan  of  the  book. 

//.  Cite  several  passages  in  which  the 
word  work  occurs.  Show  relation 
to  context  and  to  plan  of  book. 

/.  Name  the  miracles  of  the  4th  gospel 
in  order,  stating  chapter  in  which 
account  of  each  is  found. 

j.  Name  in  order  given  the  witnesses 
cited  in  John  5:31-40. 

k.  Give  condensed  but  complete  state- 
ment of  the  testimony  of  the 
Father. 

/.  Give  reasons  for  preferring  the  Re- 
vised Version  of  John  5:39. 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  45 

m.     In  what   chapter  are  the    greatest 

number  of  appeals    made  to    the 

Scriptures? 
n.     In  the  study  of  the  testimpny   of  the 

Scriptures  what  division  of  the  Old 

Testament  did  we  adopt? 
o.    Cite  a  definite  prediction  of  the  Christ 

or  about  Him  from  (a)  the  Law  (b) 

the  Prophets,  (c)  the  Psahns. 
p.     Cite  a  typical   fore-shadowing   from 

each  of  the  three  parts  of  the  O.  T. 
q.     Cite  a  direct  prediction  from  each  of 

the  Twelve  Periods  of  O.  T.  time. 
r.     Cite  a  typical   fore-shadowing   from 

each  of  the  Twelve  Periods  of  O.  T. 

time. 
s.     Cite   passages    from    the    Law,     the 

Prophets    and    the    Psalms   giving 

Names  of  the  Messiah. 
t.     Cite   passages    from    the     Law,    the 

Prophets  and    the    Psalms    giving 

Attributes  of  the  Messiah. 
II.     Cite  passages    from    the    Law,    the 

Prophets  and    the    Psalms    giving 

Works  of  the  Messiah. 
V.     Cite  passages    from    the    Law,    the 

Prophets   and    Psalms   speaking  of 

Worship  of  the  Messiah. 


46  STUDIES  IN  THE 


STUDY  X. 

TESTIMONY   OF  JESUS  HIMSELF  (PART  l). 

Directions  for  Work. 

1.  Read  the  entire  gospel  for  claims  of  Jesus 

in  His  own  behalf.  Note  results  on 
paper. 

2.  Determine   why   this   line   of  testimony  is 

examined  next  after  the  four  Imes  cited 
in  John  5:31-40. 

3.  Examine  chapters  3,  8,  18  and  cf.   Rev.   3, 

18,  22  for  declarations  concerning  com- 
petency of  Jesus  as  a  witness. 

4.  Refer  to  the   Greek   or   consult   a   Greek 

scholar  for  the  I  ams  ('^"^  t^'^-t'?)  in 
John. 

5.  Write  out  on  a  separate  sheet  of  paper  all 

the  passages  in  which  "/«;«  "translated 
from  the   full    Greek   expression   above 
occurs. 
6    Glance  down  this  list  and  note   the   differ- 
ent things  which  Jesus  claims  to  be. 

7.  Glance    down    again    and   note   on   what 

points  "  I  am  "  is  used  oftener  than  once. 

8.  In  the  light  of  Jesus'  own  claims  as  here 

recorded  consider  the  following:  "Si 
Christus  71071  Deus,  71071  bo7ius,''  which 
inQdins:"  If  Christ  is  7iot  God  he  is  7iot 
goody 

9.  Compare  the  "  I  a77ts''  of  John  the  Baptist. 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  47 

10.  Compare   results  of  your  work  with  notes 

p.  89. 

11.  Confer  with  a  friend  about  what  you  have 

learned  in  this  study. 


STUDY  XI. 

TESTIMONY  OF  JESUS   HIMSELF  (PART  II.) 

Directio7is  for  lVo7'k. 

1.  Read   again  the   gospel   rapidly    for    the 

claims  of  Jesus  in  His  own  behalf  and 
supplement  your  notes  taken  in  a  former 
reading. 

2.  Collect  on  a  sheet  of  paper  all   the   /  a7ns 

of  the  Revised  Version  indicating  by  a 
special  mark  those  which  are  derived 
from  the  full  Greek  expression  £/'«^  hpt. 

3.  As  you  glance  over  the   pages  of  the  gos- 

pel by  John  think  of  the  prominence  here 
of  the  .personal  revelation  of  Jesus. 
Study  in  this  connection  the  word  mani- 
fested in  the  gospel. 

4.  Examine  more  thoroughly  than  you  were 

able  to  do  in  Study  V.  the  relationship 
of  Jesus  to  the  Father  as  claimed  by 
Himself.  Refer  to  the  paper  on  which 
you  have  already  copied  the  passages  in 
which  the  word  Father  occurs.  Read 
these  over  carefully  and  note  the  relation 
of  each  to  the  context.     Note   especially 


48  STUDIES  IN  THE 

under  this  point  the  following   passages: 
5:19-29;  8:12-50;  9:22-39. 

5.  Compare  results  of  your  work  with   notes 

p.  92     in  this  book. 

6.  Write   out  brief  statement   of  what  you 

have  learned  in  this   study.     Relate   the 
same  to  a  friend. 


STUDY  XII. 


TESTIMONY   OF   VARIOUS   INDIVIDUALS. 

Directions  for  IVork. 

1.  Review   the   testimony   of   John  the  Bap- 

tist, Study  ii. 

2.  Review    the    testimony    of     the    Father, 

Study  V. 

3.  Review   the   testimony   of  Jesus  Himself, 

Studies  X,  XI. 

4.  Read  in  chapter  i    for   testimony   of  John 

the  Evangelist. 

5.  Read  in   chapters    19*21    for   testimony  of 

John  the  Evangelist. 

6.  Cf.   I    John   for  further  testimony  of  John 

the  Evangelist. 

7.  On  testimony  of  John  the  Evangelist  read 

from    Expositor's    Bible,  Vol.  ii.   p.  419. 
Also  Stalker's  Two  Johns,  p.  201. 

8.  Read  rapidly  through  the   gospel   for  the 


G  OS  PEL  B  Y  JOHN  49 

testimony  of  individuals.  Write  in  a 
column  at  the  right  the  texts  and  names 
of  the  individuals,  and  on  the  left  the 
declarations, 
g.  Study  the  testimony  of  each  individual  in 
the  light  of  the  statement  made  in  20:31: 
"These  are  written  that  ye  may  be- 
lieve that  Jesus  is  the  Christ  the  Son 
of  God."  What  persons  declare  that  He 
is  the  Christ  (/.<?.  The  Messiah)?  Whc 
declare  that  He  is  the  Son  of  God?  Who 
declare  both? 

10.  Compare  results  of  your  work    with  notes 

p.  93      of  this  work. 

11.  Write  out  a  brief   statement  of  what  you 

have  learned.  Relate  the  same  to  a 
friend.  Write  the  same  to  another 
friend. 


STUDY  XHI. 


TESTIMONY    OF   THE    HOLY   SPIRIT  (PART  I.) 

Directions  for  work. 

1.  Read  rapidly  the  gospel  by   John  and  col- 

lect on  a  sheet  of  paper  all  the  passages 
which  speak  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

2.  Note  marginal  rendering  of  verses  in  vari- 

ous passages,   especially   those  in   John 


50  STUDIES  IN  THE 

14,  15  for  different   terms   by   which  the 
original  is  translated. 

3.  Study  the  meaning  of  these  names. 

4.  Collect  the   passages   which   speak  of  the 

Holy  Spirit  testifying  for  Jesus. 

5.  Study   these    passages    to    determine  the 

time  of  the  Holy  Spirit's  witnessing. 

6.  Study   these  passages    to    determine   the 

place  or  sphere  of   the  Holy  Spirit's   wit- 
nessing. 

7.  Study   these   passages   to   determine   the 

hearers  of  the  Holy  Spirit's   testimony. 

8.  Study   these   passages  to   determine    the 

content  oi  the  Holy  Spirit's  testimony. 
Q.    Study  these  passages  to  determine    the 
object  oi  the  Holy  Spirit's  testimony. 

10.  Note  any  difficulties   which   may  arise  in 

this  study  and  reserve   for  further  study 
of  the  subject  in  the  next  two  lessons. 

11.  Write  out  a  brief   statement  of  the  teach- 

ing of  the  gospel  by  John  about  the  Holy 
Spirit. 

12.  Compare  results  of  your  study  with  notes 

page    94  of  this  book. 

13.  Ask   the  Holy   Spirit   to   do  His  work  in 

you. 

14.  Write  to   a   friend  about   the  teaching  of 

John  concerning  the  Holy  Spirit. 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  51 


STUDY  XIV. 


TESTIMONY    OF   THE    HOLY    SPIRIT    (PART    II). 

Directions  for  work. 

1.  Collect  evidence   from   the    Bible  that  the 

Holy  Spirit  existed  in  Pre=incarnation 
time. 

2.  Collect  evidence  from  the  gospels  that  the 

Holy  Spirit  existed  in  Incarnation  time, 
that   is;  while  Jesus  was  upon  the  earth. 

3.  In  the  light  of  the   foregoing,  account  for 

the  statement  made  in  John  7:39  that 
the  Holy  Spirit  was  not  yet,  and  for  the 
fact  that  in  John  His  testimony  is  spok- 
en of  anticipatively. 

4.  Read  Stevens'  Johannine  Theology,  chap- 

ter 8. 

5.  On  the  personality  of  the  Holy  Spirit  note 

Stevens'  Johannine  Theology,  p.  193 
ff. 

6.  Read   Expositor's    Bible   pp.   205=225   on 

"  The  Spirit  Christ's  Witness." 

7.  Compare   results   of  work   with    notes  in 

this  volume  p.  94. 

8.  Write  to  a   friend  what  you   have  learned 

in  this  study. 

9.  Relate  the  same  to  another  friend. 


52  STUDIES  IN  THE 


STUDY  XV. 


TESTIMONY   OF   THE   HOLY    SPIRIT   (PART    III). 

Directions  for  work. 

1.  Collect  from  the  book  of  Acts  all  the  pas- 

ages   referring    to   the    Holy    Spirit  and 
note   what   they   declare   in    the  light  of 
Jesus'    statement:  " //<?    shall    testify  of 
me.'" 

2.  Collect   some   passages   from  the  epistles 

and  the  Revelation  of  John  referring  to 
the  Spirit  and  his  work  of  testifying  in 
behalf  of  Jesus. 

3.  Study  now  Main  Diagram  and  note  the  rela- 

tionship of  the  Biblical  material  as  a  whole 
to  the  case  which  John  pleads,  and  the 
distribution  of  this  material  in  relation 
to  The  Father,  The  Son,  and  the  Holy 
Spirit.  There  have  been  three  dispensa- 
tions— that  of  the  Father,  that  of  the 
Son,  and  that  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  In  this 
last  we  now  live.  The  Son  and  Spirit 
were  not  inactive  in  the  first;  the  Father 
and  Spirit  were  not  inactive  in  the 
second;  the  Father  and  Son  are  not  in- 
active in  the  third. 

4.  Consider    in  whom   and    how    the    Holy 

Spirit  testifies  to=day. 

5.  Ask   yourself   if  Jesus'   words   about   the 


G  OSPEL  B  V  JOHN  53 

Holy  Spirit  in  relation  to  the  believer  as 
recorded  in  John  14  have  been  and  are 
being  fulfilled  in  you. 

6.  Has  the  statment   made  about  the    Holy 

Spirit  in  Rom.  5  been  proved  true  in 
your  experience? 

7.  Is  the  teaching   about  the  Holy  Spirit  in 

Rom.  8  yet  verified  in  any  measure  by 
your  Christian  experience? 

8.  Read   Torrey's  "  Baptism  with  the    Holy 

Spirit";  Murray's  "TheSpiritof  Christ"; 
Gordon  on  The  Holy  Spirit;  Chapman's 
"Received  ye  the  Holy  Ghost,"  and 
Pierson's  "Acts  of  the  Holy  Spirit." 

9.  Compare  results  of  study  with  notes  in 

this  book  p.  94. 
10.    Write  to  a  friend  about  your  study  of  this 
subject. 


STUDY  XVI. 


LAWS  OF   TESTIMONY. 

Directions  for  work. 

:.  If  possible  consult Greenleaf  on  "  Examin- 
ation OF  THE  Testimony  of  the 
Four  Evangelists  by  the  Rules 
of  Evidence  as  Administered  in 
Courts  of  Justice,"  pp.  1-54. 

\.    Let  some  member  of  the  group   report 


54  STUDIES  IN  THE 

the  contents  of  chapter  ii,,  (pp.  41-63)  of 
"  A  Lawyer's  Examination  of  the  Bible  " 
(Russell).  The  title  of  the  chapter  is: 
"Authenticity  of  the  Testimony.'''' 

3.  Let  another  member  of  the  group  report 

the  contents  of  chapter  iii.  (pp.  67-97)  of 
the  same  volume.  The  title  of  this 
chapter  is  "  Credibility  of  the  Testimony y 

4.  Confer  with   some   attorney   on  this  sub- 

ject. 

5.  Consider  the  testimony  of  the  four  gospels 

in  the  light  of  the  laws  briefly  stated  on 
p.  129 of  this  volume. 

6.  Read  the   introduction   to   this    book  and 

note  what  is  said  about  faith  resting  on 
evidence.  "One  does  not  compromise 
his  intellect  when  he  accepts  as  true  on 
the  testimony  of  a  competent  witness 
what  he  does  not  understand." 

7.  Read  Chapter  ix.  of  Stevens'  Johannine's 

Theology,  the  title  of  which  is:  "The 
Appropriation  of  Salvation." 

8.  Write   to   some   skeptical  attorney  friend 

about  this  subject. 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  55 


STUDY   XVII. 


REVIEW   OF   THE    PRECEDING   SIXTEEN 
STUDIES. 

Directions  for  Work. 

[.  Without  referring  to  your  notes  glance 
down  the  Main  Topics,  p.  5  and  recall 
what  you  are  able  in  connection  with 
each  study. 

;.     Answer  the  questions  under  Study  ix.  2. 

\.    Answer  the  following  questions: 

a.  What  determined  the  consideration 
of  the  testimony  of  Jesus  Himself 
next  after  that  of  the  four  lines  pre- 
ceding it? 

b.  Prove  Christ's  competency  as  a  wit- 
ness. 

c.  Quote   ten   '*Iam''    verses   (naming 

chapter  and  verse). 

d.  Give  a  brief  statement  of  the  teach- 
ing of  John  about  the  relationship 
between  Jesus  and  the  Father. 

e.  The  testimony  of  how  many  individ- 

uals does   the  gospel  by  John  con- 
tain? 

f.  Name  them. 

g.  Were  they  all  friends  of  Jesus? 


56  STUDIES  IN  THE 

h.    What  is  the  testimony  of  Nathaniel? 

In  what  chapter  found? 
/.     What  is  the  testimony  of  Philip?     In 

what  chapter  found? 
j.    What  is  the  testimony  of   Peter?     In 

what  chapter  found? 
k.    What  is  the  testimony  of  Nicodemus? 

In  what  chapter  found? 
/.    W^hat  is   the   testimony   of  the  blind 

man?    In  what  chapter  found? 
m.     What  is   the    testimony  of   Martha? 

In  what  chapter  found? 
n.    What  is  the  testimony  of  Pilate?     In 

what  chapter  found? 
o.     What   is   the   testimony  of  Thomas? 

In  what  chapter  found? 
p.    What    is  the  teaching  of  this  Gospel 

about  the   time  of  the   Holy  Spirit's 

testimony? 
q.    What  is  the  teaching  of  this  Gospel 

about  the  sphere  of  the  Holy  Spirit's 

testimony? 
r.    What  is  the  teaching  of  this  Gospel 

about  the  content  oi  the  Holy  Spirit's 

testimony? 
s.    What  is   the  teaching  of  this  Gospel 

about  the  object  of  the  Holy  Spirit's 

testimony? 
/.    What  is   the  teaching  of  this  Gospel 

about  the    Holy   Spirit's   work  apart 

from  testifying? 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  57 

Justify  from  Scripture  the  doctrine 
of  the  personality  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 
Give  evidence  from  Acts — Revela- 
tion that  Jesus'  prediction  about 
the  Holy  Spirit  was  fulfilled. 
State  briefly  what  you  have  learned 
about  the  Laws  of  Testimony. 


58  STUDIES  IN  THE 


STUDY  XVIII. 


The  Prologue. 

Directions  for  work. 

1.  Read  John  i:i-i8  aloud  without  interrup- 

tion, and  at  once  close  the  book  and 
write  down  your  impressions. 

2.  Read  the  same  again  and   note  down  any 

difficulties  or  questions  which  may  come 
to  mind. 

3.  Read  now   a  third   time   noting   the  unity 

and  progress  in  this  material  as  indicated 
by  the  following  expressions  in  verses  i, 
14,  and  18  respectively.  The  Word 
WAS  God— The  Word  became  flesh 

— THE  ONLY  BEGOTTEN  SON  HATH  DE- 
CLARED God.  Note  and  connect  by 
lines  in  your  Bible  the  words  was,  became, 
declared. 

4.  Write  out  in  propositional  form  as  many 

statements  as  the  material  in  the  pro- 
logue justifies;  e.  g. 

1.  The  Word  was  in  the  beginning. 

2.  The  Word  was  with  God  (the  Father 
cf.  vs.  14,  18). 

3.  The  Word  was  God. 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  59 

4.  The  Word  was  God   the  Son  (cf.  vs. 

14.  18.) 

5.  The  Word  made  all  things. 

5.  See  outline  of  prologue  in  chart  9. 

6.  Account  for   introduction  of   reference  to 

John  the  Baptist  in  the  Prologue. 

7.  On  the  Prologue  read   Stevens*  Johannine 

Theology,  pp.  74- J  01. 

8.  On  the  Prologue  read  Godet,  Vol.  I.  pp. 

54.  55. 
Q.  The  Heresies  of  the  early  church  related 
to  the  person  of  Christ.  Arrowsmith 
(quoted  by  Ryle)  shows  that  four  of 
these  heresies  are  confuted  by  a  right 
understanding  of  John  1:14.  These  were 
Arianisjn,  Apollmaria7iisin,  Nestorian- 
ism,  Eutychianism.  Study  the  occasions 
for  and  deliverances  of  the  Church  Coun- 
cils of  the  first  three  centuries. 


6o  STUDIES  IN  THE 


STUDY  XIX. 


Instances  of   Belief   and  Unbelief. 

Directions  for  ivork. 

1.  Before    consulting    the    gospel   itself,  go 

through  chapter  by  chapter  in  order  and 
recall  all  instances  of  belief  which  you 
can. 

2.  Read  through  the  gospel  and  note  in  order 

all  instances  of  belief  recorded. 

3.  Go  over  these   cases   asking   yourself  in 

each  instance: 

a.  What  was  the   character  of  the  per- 

son who  believed? 

b.  What  were  the   circumstances  under 

which  the  person  believed? 

c.  What  induced  belief? 

d.  What  was  the  manner  in   which  be- 

lief was  indicated? 

4.  While  the  evidence  was  sufficient  to  lead 

many  persons  to  believe,  it  was  rejected 
by  some.  Recall  without  further  exam- 
ination of  the  gospel  all  instances  of  un- 
belief which  you  can. 
6.  Go  over  these  cases  asking  yourself  in 
each  instance: 
a.     What  was  the  character  of   the  per- 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  6i 

b.  Was  lack  of  evidence   the  cause  of 

unbelief? 

c.  How  was  unbelief  manifested? 

7.  Without   reference   to   book   of   any  kind 

think  for  a  few  minutes  over  what  you 
have  learned  from  the  gospel  in  this 
Study. 

8.  Write  to  a  friend  about  it. 


STUDY  XX. 


Development  of   Belief  and  Unbelief. 

Directions  for  work. 

1.  Copy  from  paper  on  which  you  have  them 

recorded,  all  instances  of  belief.  Make 
the  following  division: 

a.  Instances  of  belief  in  individuals, 

b.  Instances  of  belief  in  the  body  of  the 

disciples. 

2.  Take  each  case  and  note  every  indication 

of  development  of  belief  in  it.  e.  g. 
Nicodemus  is  mentioned  in  three  differ- 
ent chapters  in  John.  Does  the  record 
justify  the  conclusion  that  he  developed 
in  belief? 

3.  Study  the  treatment  by  Jesus  of  each  per- 

son disposed  to  believe,  or  who  is  repre- 
sented as  making  candid  inquiry. 


62  STUDIES  IN  THE 

4.  Compare  results  of  your  study  with    notes 

p.  95  of  this  book.  * 

5.  Copy  from  paper  on  which   you  have  re- 

corded them,  all  insi;  nces  of  unbelief. 
Make  the  following  division: 

a.  Instances  of  unbelief  in    individuals. 

b.  Instances  of  unbelief  in   the  body  of 

rejecters. 

6.  Take  each  case  and  note  every  indication 

of  development  of  unbelief  in  it.  That 
of  Judas  is  most  interesting. 

7.  Study  the  treatment  by  Jesus  of  those  who 

rejected  Him. 

8.  Consider  whether   Jesus   expected  every- 

body to  believe  in  Him. 

9.  Study  chart  p.  23  which  is  intended  to  help 

the  student  to  understand  the  wonderful 
unity  and  progress  of  this  fourth  gospel 
in  the  lines  of  development  of  belief  and 
unbelief. 

10.  Do  not  fail   to  read  pp.  491-512  of  Godet's 

Commentary  on  the  gospel  by  John,  Vol. 
I.,  on  the  Development  of  Belief  and  Un- 
belief. 

11.  Compare  results  of   your  work   with  notes 

p.  100  of  this  book. 

12.  Do  not  fail   to  write  to   a  friend  about  the 

results  of  this  study. 


G  OS  PEL  B  V  JOHN  63 


STUDY  XXI. 


Secret  of    Belief. 
Directions  for  work. 

1.  Read  John  20:30,31,  and   state  briefly  the 

teaching  of  this  passage  about  the  secret 
of  belief. 

2.  Compare  John  5:24  and  17:20  and  note  the 

teaching  of  these  passages  on  the  point 
which  we  are  considering. 

3.  State  teaching  of  John  17:8. 

4.  State  teaching  of  John  8:31.     Cf.  1:12,  37. 
.5.     State  teaching  of  John  6:40  and  6:36.     Cf. 

12:45. 

6.  State  teaching  of  John  6:45  and  8:47. 

7.  State  teaching  of  John  7:17. 

8.  State  teaching  of  John  6:36.  37,  44,  65. 

9.  State  teaching  of  John  17:6,  9,24. 

10.  State  teaching  of  John  10:26. 

11.  Compare   teaching   of   Ephesians   2:8.     i 

Cor.  2:9,  10. 

12.  Search  the  material  for  other  explanations 

of  unbelief  and  tabulate  results. 

13.  Consider    difficulties   arising   in   study  of 

this  subject  with  deliberation  and  prayer. 
Suspend  judgment  on  some  points,  if 
they  are  not  clear,  for  further  investiga- 
tion.     Compare    duty    of   Belief,  Study 


64  STUDIES  IN  THE 

14.     Show  some    one  who  has  not    accepted 
Christ  the  secret  of  belief. 


STUDY  XXII. 


Explanations  of  Unbelief  (part  i). 

Directions  for  work. 

1.  Read  the  gospel  for  explanations  of  unbe- 

lief. 

2.  Note  the  remarkable  fact  that  in  this  book 

written  that  men  might  believe  are  given 
many  explanations  of  unbelief.  Ask 
yourself  if  the  explanations  given  are 
satisfactory?  Note  who  gives  the  ex- 
planations. 

3.  Do  not  fail  to  state  in  your  own  language 

the  explanation  of  unbelief  given  in  John 

3:19.  20. 

4.  Do  the  same  with  John  5:40,  42. 

5.  Do  the  same  with  John  3:11,  6:42,  6:52. 

6.  Do  the  same  with  John  7:41,  42.      Cf.  1:45. 

7.  Read  Expositor's  Bible,  Vol.  i,  p.  36. 

8.  Ask  yourself  if  your  own  experience  and 

your  contact  with  others  are  in  harmony 
with  the  explanations  here  given.   Can  all 
cases  of  unbelief  to=day  be  explained  by 
the  gospel  by  John? 
0.    Write  to  some  friend  who  does  not  believe 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  65 

and  ask  him  to  study  this  gospel  which 
will  explain  his  case. 
10.  Talk  with  some  one  who  does  not  believe 
and  ask  him  why  he  does  not  believe. 
Show  him  the  explanation  of  his  case 
from  the  gospel  by  John. 


STUDY  XXIII. 


EXPLANATIONS  OF  UNBELIEF(PART  II). 

Directions  for  Work. 

1.  Select  ten   instances  of   belief  recorded  in 

the  Old  Testament.  Let  the  selections 
represent  various  times,  circumstances 
and  countries. 

2.  Apply  to   these  the  tests  found  under  the 

Secret  of  Belief  and  discover  if  you  are 
able  to  account  for  the  belief. 

3.  Select  from    the   Old   Testament   ten  in- 

stances of  unbelief  and  discover  if  you 
are  able  to  explain  them  from  the  prin- 
ciples declared  in  the  gospel  by  John. 

4.  Select  ten   instances    of  belief    from  the 

New  Testament  apart  from  John  and 
apply  to  each  the  secret  of  belief  as  giv- 
en by  John. 

5.  Select  ten  instances    of   unbelief  from  the 

New  Testament  apart  from  John  and  ap- 


66  STUDIES  IN  THE 

ply  to  each  the  explanations  of  unbelief 
as  given  by  John. 

6.  Ask  yourself  if  the  unity  and  truth  of  the 

the  Bible  is  not  clearly  shown  by  the 
fact  that  what  it  records  is  clearly  proved 
to  be  true  to  human  experience. 

7.  Do    not   fail   to   write   to   some  skeptical 

friend  along  the  line  of  this  Study  and 
what  you  have  learned. 


STUDY  XXIV. 


REVIEW  OF   THE   PRECEDING   TWENTY   THREE 
STUDIES. 

Directions  for  Work. 
i:     Glance    down    Main    Topics   t    and    re- 
call what   you   can    in   connection  with 
each  study. 

2.  Answer  the  questions  in  Study  IX. 

3.  Answer  the  questions  in  Study  XVII. 

4.  Answer  the  following  questions: 

a.  What  verses  of  the  Gospel  constitute 

the  Prologue. 

b.  What  verses  of  the  Prologue  give  the 

key  to  the  progress  of    its   thought. 

c.  Give  outline  of  the  Prologue. 

d.  Show  relation  of  John  1:14  to  Arian- 

ism,  to  Apollinarianism,  to  Nestor- 
ianism,  to  Eutychianism. 


t  For  Main  Topics  see  Table  of  Contents. 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  67 

e.     Cite  instances  of  belief  and  unbelief 

found  in   the   Gospel  and   make  a 

statement  concerning  each. 
/.     Show  development  of  belief  in: 

(i).    John  the  Evangelist. 

(2).     Philip. 

(3).     Nicodemus. 

(4).     The  woman  at  the  well. 

(5).     The  Nobleman. 

(6).     The  blind  man. 

(7).     Peter. 

(8).     In  the  body  of  disciples. 
g.     Show  development  of  unbelief  in: 

(i).     Judas. 

(2).     The  Jews  as  a  body. 
h.     Give  a  brief  but  complete  statement 

of  the  secret  of  belief. 
/.      Give   what   you   consider   to  be  the 

four  most   important   explanations 

of   unbelief. 


STUDY  XXV. 


RESULTS    OF    BELIEF. 

Directions  for  work. 

1.  Read   through   the    Gospel   and    note  on 

paper  such  results  of  belief  as  you  may 
discover. 

2.  For  the  most  comprehensive  statement  of 


68  STUDIES  IN  THE 

the  result  of  belief  see  John  6:47.  Cf. 
11:25,  26;  20:31. 

3.  All  statements  apart   from  these  respect- 

ing eternal  life  may  be  regarded  asdefin- 
ative  and  explanatory. 

4.  Find  verse  or  verses  showing  that  there- 

suit  of  belief  is  satisfactioji  of  hunger. 

5.  Find  verse  or  verses  showing  that  the  re- 

sult of  belief  is  quenching  of  thirst. 

6.  Find  verses  or  verses  showing  that  belief 

results  \x\freed07n. 

7.  Find  verse   or  verses   showing  that  belief 

results  in  light. 

8.  Find  verse  or   verses   showing  that  belief 

results  in  knowledge. 

9.  Find  verse   or   verses  showing   that  belief 

results  \n  peace. 

10.  Find  verse  or   verses    showing  that  belief 

results  \Ti.joy. 

11.  Find  verse   or  verses   showing  that  belief 

results  in  power. 

12.  State  the  teaching  of  John  7:38  and  show 

its  relation  to  this  subject. 

13.  Study  instances  of  belief  in  John  and  note 

verification  of  teaching  in  actual  experi- 
ence. 

14.  Study  instances  of  belief  which  you  have 

already  collected  from  the  Old  Testa- 
ment record  and  note  if  results  as  de- 
clared  by   John   were  apparent  in  them. 

15.  Do  same  with  persons  whose  names  you 


G  OS  PEL  B  V  JOHN  69 

have   collected    from   other   portions   of 
the  New  Testament.     See  Study  xxiii., 4. 
16.     Ask  yourself  if  these  results   are  apparent 
in  yourself.     If  not,  why  not? 


STUDY  XXVI. 


RESULTS    OF    UNBELIEF. 

Directions  for  work. 

1.  Read  through   the   Gospel   and  note  on  a 

sheet  of  paper  such  results  of  unbelief 
as  you  may  discover. 

2.  For  the  most  comprehensive  statement  of 

the  results  of  unbelief  see  John  6:53.  Cf. 
3:36. 

3.  All  statements   apart   from    those    about 

death  bemg  the  result  of  unbelief  may 
be  regarded  as  definative  and  explana- 
tory. 

4.  As  far  as   you  may   be  able   find  passages 

giving  the  opposite  of  results  of  belief  as 
cited  in  4-12  of  Study  xxv. 

5.  Study   instances   of  unbelief  recorded  in 

John  and  note  results  as  there  manifest- 
ted. 

6.  Study  several  instances  of  unbelief  select- 

ed from  the  O.  T,  times  and  note  results 
as  there  manifested. 


70  STUDIES  IN  THE 

7.  Study   several   instances   of   unbelief  se- 

lected from  the  New  Testament  record 
apart  from  John  and  note  results  as 
there  manifested. 

8.  Study  results  of  unbelief  in  believers: 

a.  In  the  gospel  by  John. 

b.  In  the  O.  T. 

c.  In  the  New  Test,  apart  from  John- 

d.  In  Christians  of  to-day. 

e.  In  yourself. 


STUDY  XXVII. 


DUTY  OF  BELIEF  (OBEDIENCE  IN  JOHN). 

Directions  for  work. 

[.    Read  the  Gospel  by  John  and  collect: 

a.  Commands  to  believe. 

b.  Illustrations    of    obedience    to    the 

command  to  believe. 

c.  Effects  of  obedience  upon  belief. 

J.  Go  through  the  Gospel  chapter  by  chap- 
ter to  discover  if  possible  from  every 
chapter  something  emphasizing  either 
by  precept  or  example  the  blessing  of 
obedience. 

5.    Study  Jesus  Himself  in   the  Gospel    by 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  71 

John  as  the  example  of  perfect  obedi- 
ence. Judge  your  own  life  in  the  light 
of  this  ideal. 

Memorize  John  1:12;  2:5;  4:34;  6:29;  7:17; 
13:17. 

Write  to  some  one  over  whom  you  have 
influence  and  press  home  the  duty  of 
more  ready  and  implicit  belief  of  Jesus' 
word,  and  obedience  to  his  command. 


STUDY  XXVIII. 


SIN    OF    unbelief;    time    and    object  of 

BELIEF. 

Directi07is  for  Work. 

1.  Review  the  testimony  given  in  behalf  of 

Jesus  Christ  and    judge  if  any  one  has 
reason  for  rejecting  Him. 

2.  Examine  chapters  3  and  16  for  statements 

about  the  sin  of  unbelief. 

3.  Discover   passages    from    other   chapters 

bearing  on  the  sin  of  unbelief. 

4.  Examine  chapter  12  for  passage  relating 

to  the  time  of  belief. 

6.  Discover   passages   from    other    chapters 

bearing  on  the  time  of  belief. 

7.  Examine  the  fourth  Gospel  to  determine 


72  STUDIES' IN  THE 

its  teaching  respecting  the  Object  of 
belief.  Is  the  object  of  belief  a  proposi- 
tion—a system,  or  a  person. 
8.  Examine  the  various  definitions  of  Faith  in 
Jesus  Christ  given  in  the  catechisms 
such  as  the  Westminster  Shorter  Cate- 
chism (1647),  the  Heidelberg  Catechism 
(1563),  the  Lutheran  (1529),  the  Anglican 
(1549-1604),  and  the  Methodist  (1852) 
Q.   Memorize  John  3:  14-18;  12:31-36. 


STUDY  XXIX. 


THE  EPILOGUE— A  CHAPTER  STUDY. 

Directio7is  for-  Work. 

I.  Prepare  this  chapter  according  to  method 
for  chapter  study  outlined  on  p.  1 16  of  this 
book.  Under  the  heading  Questions 
and  Difficulties  will  probably  appear 
some  if  not  all  of  the  following: 

a.  Is  this   chapter   part   of   the   original 

plan  of  the  Gospel.  This  should  be 
considered  under  the  hciiding: 
Relation  of  this  chapter  to  the  pre- 
ceding one. 

b.  Why  was  this  chapter  added? 

c.  Was  the  Gospel  probably  in  circula- 

tion   before  this  Epilogue  was  writ- 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  73 

ten  ?     What  is  the  bearing  of  v.  24  on 
this  i)()int? 

d.  Is  it  clear  tliat  at  least  vs.  1-23  were 
written  by  the  author  of  the  Gospel? 

i\  Does  the  three-fold  question  to  Peter 
suggest  his  three  fold  denial? 

/  Was  Peter's  sorrow  caused  l)y  the  re- 
minder of  his  denial  or  by  the 
change  of  word  by  Jesus? 

g.  Did  Christ  refer  to  his  second  com- 
ing in  V.  22? 

h.     Is  the  wc  of   v,  24  a   true  plural  or 
usage  such  as  is  found  in  i  Jn.  1:1. 
Cf.  Col.  4:3. 
Consult   Chart   p.   22   for  outline    of   this 

chapter. 
Read       Stevens'      Johannine      Theology 

Chapter  XI  on  Jesus'  questions  to  Peter. 
Write   to   some  one    about   this  plan    for 

chapter  study. 


STUDY  XXX. 


REVIEW  OF  PRECEDING  TWENTY-NINE  STUDIES 

Directions  for  Work. 
I.     Glance  down  Main  Topics f  i-xxix   omit- 
ting  Review  lessons,   and    recall    what 


fFor  Main  Topics  see  Table  of  Contents. 


74  STUDIES  IN  THE 

you  are   able    in   connection   with   each 
Study. 

2.  Answer  questions  in  Study  ix. 

3.  Answer  questions  in  Study  xvii. 

4.  Answer  questions  in  study  xxiv. 

5.  Answer  the  following-  questions: 

a.  Quote  accurately  John  6:47,  and 
state  its  use  in  this  series  of  studies. 

b.  Give  a  brief  but  complete  statement 
of  the  teaching  of  John  about  the  re- 
sults of  belief, 

.  c.  Give  a  brief  but  complete  statement 
of  the  teaching  of  John  about  the  re- 
sults of  unbelief. 

d.  Repeat  accurately  from  memory 
John  3.14-18;  12:31-36. 

e.  Give   what    you   consider  to  be   the 

most  satisfactory  answer  to  the 
question:  What  is  Faith  in  Jesus 
Christ? 

f.  Give  outline,    condensation    and  re- 

sults of  study  of  chapter  xxi. 

6.  Reproduce  from'memory: 

a.  Chart  giving  a  fact  or  incident  m 
each  chapter. 

b.  Chart  showing  development  in   this 

Gospel  of  belief  and  unbelief. 

c.  Chart    showing    relation  of   material 

in  John  to  the  Feasts. 

7.  Think   through    the    Gospel    chapter  by 

chapter  and   note  down  on  paper  what 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  75 

you  consider  to  be  the  most  striking 
fact  or  truth  in  each  chapter. 

Test  your  knowledge  of  the  characters, 
words,  places  and  topics  for  study  by  run- 
ning down  each  Hst  deliberately  and  re- 
calling what  you  can  in  connection  with 
each. 

Write  to  a  friend  about  the  course  which 
you  have  just  finished  entering  as  much 
into  detail  as  your  time  will  permit. 


PART   THREE. 


TESTIMONY.* 


I — TESTIMONY   OF   JOHN   THE    BAPTIST. 

Note  that  in  the  fourth  Gospel  the  Baptist 
is  named  nineteen  times  and  is  called 
simply  John.  In  Matthew  he  is  seven 
times  called  John  the  Baptist;  in  Mark 
four  times,  and  in  Luke  four  times.  This 
is  an  important  item  of  internal  evidence 
of  the  genuineness  and  authenticity  of 
this  gospel.  The  writer  does  not  need  to 
distinguish  John  the  Baptist  from  him- 
self whose  name  is  John  by  callmg  him 
the  Baptist. 

Note  the  prominetice  of  the  testimony  of 
Johji  the  Baptist  : 

a.  In  the  Prologue.     See  Godet  Vol.    I., 

p.  516. 

b.  In  the  first  chapter. 

This  is  due  to  the  fact  that  the  writer  of 
the  book  had  been  a  disciple  of  John  the 
Baptist,  and  was  influenced  by  his  words 
to  go  to  Jesus.     The  writer  of  this  book 


'Consult  Main  Diagram,  p.  13. 

V 


78  STUDIES  IN  THE 

IS  recording  his  own  experience.  Here 
is  a  second  important  item  of  internal 
evidence  of  the  genuineness  of  this 
Gospel. 
3.  Consider  John  the  Baptisfs  competency  as 
a  witness. 

a.  His  mission  was  to   call  to  repent- 

ance and  righteousness. 

b.  His   character   was    unimpeachable. 

He  was  ascetic  in  habits  and  faith- 
ful in  his  work. 

c.  The  people  are  reported  by  the  evan- 

gelist as  testifying  to  the  truth  of 
what  John  said.     See  John  10:41,  42. 

d.  Cf.    the   testimony  of  Jesus   unchal- 

lenged by  his  hearers  as  recorded 
in  Matt.  ii:ii. 

The  following  quotation  is  appropriate 
here: 

"He  (that  is  John)  was  in  a  position  to 
know  Jesus  well.  He  was  His  cousin; 
he  had  known  Him  from  childhood.  He 
was  also  in  a  position  to  know  what  was 
involved  in  being  the  Messiah.  By  the 
very  circumstance  that  he  himself  had 
been  mistaken  for  the  Messiah,  he  was 
driven  to  define  to  his  own  mind  the  dis- 
tinctive and  characteristic  marks  of  the 
Messiah.  Nothing  could  so  have  led 
him  to  apprehend  the  difference  between 
himself    and    Jesus.      More    and    more 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  79 

clearly  must  he  have  seen  that  he  was 
not  that  light,  but  was  sent  to  bear  wit- 
ness of  that  light.  Thus  he  was  pre- 
pared to  receive  with  understanding  the 
sign  which  gave  him  something  more 
than  his  ozvn  personal  surmises  to  go 
upon  in  declaring  Jesus  to  the  world  as 
the  Messiah.  If  there  is  any  man's  tes- 
timony we  may  accept  about  our  Lord 
it  is  that  of  the.  Baptist,  who  from  his 
close  contact  with  the  most  profligate 
and  with  the  most  spiritual  of  the  peo- 
ple, saw  what  they  needed  and  saw  in 
Jesus  power  to  give  it;  the  business  of 
whose  life  it  was  to  make  Him  out,  and 
to  arrive  at  certain  information  regard- 
ing Him;  a  man  whose  own  elevation 
and  force  of  character  made  many  fancy 
he  was  the  Messiah,  but  who  hastened 
to  disabuse  their  minds  of  such  an  idea, 
because  his  very  elevation  gave  him  ca- 
pacity to  see  how  infinitely  above  him 
the  true  Christ  was.  Seen  from  the  low 
ground,  the  star  may  seem  close  to  the 
top  of  mountains;  seen  from  the  moun- 
tain top  it  is  recognized  as  infinitely 
above  it.  John  was  on  the  mountain 
top.     .     .     . 

It  is  the  testimony  of  a  contemporary 
of  whom  we  know  from  other  sources 
that     he     was      generally     reckoned    a 


8o  STUDIES  IN  THE 

prophet — a  man  of  unblemished  and  in- 
violable integrity,  of  rugged  independ- 
ence, of  the  keenest  spiritual  discern- 
ment. There  was  no  man  of  larger  size 
or  more  heroic  mould  in  his  day.  In 
any  generation  he  would  have  been  con- 
spicuous by  his  spiritual  stature,  his 
fearless  unworldliness,  his  superiority  to 
the  common  weaknesses  of  men;  and 
yet  this  man  looks  up  to  Jesus  as  stand- 
ing on  quite  a  different  platform  from 
his  own,  as  a  Being  of  another  order. 
He  can  find  no  expression  strong  enough 
to  mark  the  difference:  "  I  am  not  wor- 
thy to  loose  His  shoe  latchet;"  "He 
that  is  of  the  earth  "  (that  is  himself)  "is 
earthly,  and  speaketh  of  the  earth;  He 
that  Cometh  from  heaven  is  above  all." 
He  would  not  have  used  such  expres- 
sion of  Isaiah,  of  Elijah,  of  Moses.  He 
knew  his  own  dignity  and  would  not 
have  set  so  marked  a  difference  between 
himself  and  any  other  prophet.  But  his 
own  very  greatness  was  precisely  what 
revealed  to  him  the  absolute  superiority 
of  Christ.  These  crowds  that  gathered 
round  him — what  could  he  do  for  them 
more  than  refer  them  to  Christ?  Could 
he  propose  to  himself  to  found  among 
them  a  kingdom  of  God?  Could  he  ask 
them  to  acknowledge  him  and  trust  in 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  8i 

him  for  spiritual  life?  Could  he  promise 
them  his  spirit?  Could  he  even  link  to 
himself  all  kinds  of  men  and  nationali- 
ties? Could  he  be  the  light  of  men, 
giving-  to  all  a  satisfying  knowledge  of 
God  and  of  their  relation. to  Him?  No; 
he  was  not  that  light,  he  could  but  bear 
witness  of  that  light.  And  this  he  did, 
by  pointing  men  to  Jesus,  not  as  a 
brother  prophet,  not  as  another  great 
man,  but  as  the  Son  of  God,  as  One  who 
had  come  down  from  heaven. 
It  is,  I  say,  impossible  that  we  can  make 
nothing  of  such  a  testimony.  Here  was 
one  who  knew,  if  any  man  ever  did,  spot- 
less holiness  when  he  saw  it;  who  knew 
what  huriian  strength  and  courage  could 
accomplish;  who  was  himself  certainly 
among  the  six  greatest  men  the  world 
has  seen;  and  this  man,  standing  thus 
on  the  highest  altitudes  human  nature 
can  reach,  looks  up  to  Christ,  and  does 
not  only  admit  His  superiority,  but 
shrinks,  as  from  something  blasphemous, 
from  all  comparison  with  Him.  What  is 
the  flaw  in  his  testimony,  or  why  are  we 
not  accepting  Christ  as  our  light,  as  able 
to  take  away  our  sins,  as  willing  to  bap- 
tize us  with  the  Holy  Ghost."* 


♦Expositor's  Bible  Vol.  1,  pp.  37,  50. 


82  STUDIES  IN  THE 

4.  Jesus  appeals  to  the  testimony  of  John  the 

Baptist.    John  5:33. 

5.  //  is  declared  to  be  the  inissiofi  of  John  to 

testify  : 

a.  By  the  Evangelist,  1:7. 

b.  By  John  himself  1:31,  3:26,28. 

6.  The  testimo?ty  of  John  the  Baptist  to  the 

Jewish  Com7nission,  1:19-28. 

a.  Note  that  Levites  are  rarely  men= 
tioned.  A  forger  would  have  said 
Scribes  and  Pharisees.  This  is  an 
item  of  internal  evidence  of  the 
truth  of  the  book. 

b.  John  was  so  great  as  to  be  mistaken 

for  the  Christ.  But  his  testimony  is 
positive. 

7.  The  testimony  of  John  the  day  following  to 

the  Jews,  i  :29-34. 

a.  Note  what  he  calls  Jesus  in  the  light 
of  20:30,  31. 

b.  Note  how  he  was  shown  that  this  is 

He. 

8.  The  testimony  of  fohn   on  the  following 

day  to  two  of  his  own  disciples,  i  :35,39. 

a.  Who  were  they?  Evidently  Andrew 
and  John. 

b.  Note   the    result    of    this   testimony. 

Four  disciples — one-third  of  the 
body  of  his  chosen  twelve!  Andrew 
first  findeth  his  own  brother — John 
afterward  found  his  own  brother 
James. 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  83 

9.      The  testimo7iy  of  John   the  Baptist  zuhen 
his  disciples  C07npiain  of  the  popularity 
of  Jesus,  3:22-30. 
a..    This  is  the  final  recorded  testimony 

of  John. 
^.  Compare  this  with  that  in  the  first 
chapter  and  note  well  the  advance. 
There  he  said:  "Greater  than  I.' 
Here  he  says:  "  He  must  increase,  I 
must  decrease." 
•.  Note  "  John'was  not  yet  cast  into  pris- 
on." This  suggests  that  sending  by 
John  afterward  from  prison  asking: 
"  Art  thou  he  that  should  come?' 
Matt,  ii:i-iQ.  In  considering  this 
note, 

(i).    The  sign  at  the  Baptism. 
(2).    John's  own  recognition  of  the 

end  of  his  career. 
(3).    Jesus'   testimony    concerning 

John. 
(4).     That  this  may  have  been  his 
way  of  turning  the  attention  of 
his  disciples  to  Jesus,  but—' 
(5).    Jesus    sends  answer  back   to 

John. 
(6).     See   Explanation  in  Stalker's 
"  Two  Johns. " 

10.  Results  of  fohiis  testimony,  10:41,42. 

11.  Compare  material  about  Joh?t    ijt  other 

Gospels  a7id  in  Ach. 


84  STUDIES  IN  THE 

12.     Compare  prophecy  about  JoJm  in  Old  Tes- 
tament. 

II.      TESTIMONY    OF    JESUS'  MIGHTY  WORKS. 

1.  Jesus  appeals  to  this,   5:36;    10:25,37,38; 

14:11. 

2.  Note  the  words  used: 

a.  Not  zipara  portents  * 

b.  Not     Suva/j.et^     exhibitions     of    his 

power, 

c.  Not   ddufiara   deeds   exciting   won- 

der. 

d.  Not  -apaooca  events  contrary  to  ex- 

pectation. 

e.  But  (Trjfj.shr^  t  evidences  of  his  power 

— "manifestations   of   his  glory" — 
"embodiments  of  truth  in  deed  " — 
"deeds  having  significance  " — "ob- 
ject  lessons  " — "  deeds   not  ending 
in  themselves."      This  word  is  used 
17  times. 
/     And     epyov  "work,"   "    accomplish- 
ment," deed  that  is  natural  to  per- 
form.    This  word  is  used   23  times. 
"John  habitually  considered  the   miracles 
of  Jesus  as  "  signs  "  or  object  lessons,  in 


*See  Farrar  in  "  Messages  of  the  Books  "  on  thegospel 
by  John. 

fThis  word  is  always  translated  sign  in  the  Revised  Ver- 
sion. In  the  Authorized  Version  it  is  sometimes  trans- 
lated miracle. 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  85 

which  the  spiritual  mind  might  read  un- 
seen truth.  They  were  intended  to  pre- 
sent to  the  eye  a  picture  of  the  similar 
but  greater  works  which  Jesus  wrought 
in  the  region  of  the  spirit.  He  heals  the 
blind.and  therein  sets  Himself  before  men 
as  the  light  of  the  world.  He  gives  the 
hungry  bread,  but  is  disappointed  that 
they  do  not  from  this  conclude  that  He 
is  Himself  the  bread  sent  down  by  the 
Father  to  nourish  to  life  everlasting.  He 
heals  the  impotent  man,  and  marvels 
that  in  this  healing  the  people  do  not 
see  a  sign  that  He  is  the  Son  who  does 
the  Father's  works,  and  who  can  give 
life  to  whom  He  will.  It  is  legitimate, 
therefore,  to  see  in  this  cure  the  embodi- 
ment of  spiritual  truth."  * 
Note  that  ma?iy  signs  are  referred  to,  but 
few  are  recorded. 

a.  References   to   many    are   made    in 

2:23;  3:2;  6:2,  7:31;  9:16;  11:47; 
12:37;  20:30. 

b.  In  all  four  gospels  are  recorded  forty 

miracles;  in  John  eight. 

c.  The  selection  by  John  is  regarded  by 

many  as  having  significance.  The 
principle  of  selection  is  suggesteci 
by  the  quotation  found  above  froai 
the  Expositor's  Bible. 


*Dods  in  Expositor's  Commentary  on  John,  Vol.  I.  pp 
179,  180. 


86  STUDIES  IN  THE 

d.  Note  the  variety  of  accomplishment 
presented  in  the  miracles  recorded 
by  John. 

4.  The  sUide7it  should  not  fail  to  co?tsult 
charts  and  note  suggestions  about  the 
study  of  the  recorded  miracles  of  our 
Lord,  p.  2j. 

III.      TESTIMONY   OF    THE    FATHER. 

1.  fesus appeals  to  it  5:37.     Cf.  6:27:  7:16,  20; 

8:18,  54;  11:41.  42. 

2.  fohn    the  Baptisfs  accoimt  of  at  the  bap 

tism  of  Jesus  1:32-34. 

a.  The  Father,  Son  and  Spirit  are  here 

b.  Dove  shape.      Cf.  "  Tongues  of  fire  ' 

Acts  2:3.  Note  figure  of  dove  sug- 
gested by  Gen.  1:2  which  probably 
the  basis  of  Milton's  sentence: 

"  And  with  mighty  wings  outspread 
Dove-like  sat'st  brooding  on  the  vast  abyss." 

c.  Why  the  Spirit  at  this  time? 

(i)     It  did  not  change  the  nature  of 
Christ. 

(2)  To  make  Him  known. 

(3)  To  mark  the  beginning  of   His 

official  life. 

(4)  To  equip  Him  for  His  work. 

3.  Joh7i  the   Eva7igelisfs  accoimt  of  a  voice 

from  heavefi  12:28. 

a.  Note  the  conflicting  influences  in 
Jesus  of  fear  of  death  and   willing- 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  87 

ness  to  glorify  the  Father  by  dying. 

b.  Note   this  voice  for  the  sake  of  the 
.  people. 

c.  Compare  other  instances  of  a  voice 

from  heaven. 

4.  Johns  own  Personal   testimony  probably 

rejerring  to  the  transfiguration  experi- 
ence 1:14.  Cf.  Peter's  account  in  i  Peter 
1:17. 

5.  Read  i  John  5:9,  10  on  the  testimony  of  the 

Father.     Cf.  also  i  Jn.  i:io;  2:4,  22. 

6.  Compare  testimony  of  the  Father  as  record- 

ed in  the  other  gospels. 

a.  In  Matthew— 

(i)     At  the  baptism  3:13-17. 
(2)     At  the  transfiguration  17:5. 

b.  In  Mark— 

(i)     At  the  baptism  i:j  i. 

(2)     At  the  transfiguration  9:7 

c.  In  Luke — 

(i)     At  the  baptism  3:21. 

(2)     At  the  transfiguration  9:28-30. 

7.  Compare  testi?notty  of  the  Father  as  re- 

ferred to  i?t  the  Acts  and  Epistles. 
Note  that  this  is  specially  in  the  matter 
of  the    resurrection.    See  Acts  2:24,  32, 
36;  3:15;  4:10:10:40;  Rom.    1:4;    I    Cor. 
15th  Chapter. 

IV.— TESTIMONY   OF   THE   SCRIPTURES. 

I.    Jesus  appeals  to  it,  5:39,  46.     Cf.  7:38. 


?8  STUDIES  IN  THE 

1.    Direct  appea  Is  to  fulfilm  en  t  of  Scripture  in 
John  are  : 

a.  12:41,    announcement   of   Isa.  about 

unbelief. 

b.  19:24,  announcement  about  His  gar- 

ment. 

c.  19:28,      announcement      about     His 

thirst. 

d.  19:34-37,   announcement   about    His 

bones  and  side. 

e.  20:9,   announcement  about   His  res- 

urrection. 

3.  Compare  these  references  to  fulfilment  of 

Scripture  with  refet'ences  to  same  i?i 
Matt.,  Mark  ana  Luke.  Matthew  quotes 
oftener  than  all  the  others  because  writ- 
ing to  Jews. 

4.  Note  the  following  on  the  relation  of  the 

Old  and  New  Testaments: 
a.    "  In     Vetere     Testamento     Novum 
latet;   in   Novo   Testamento  Vetus 
patet."     This  of  which   Augustine 
is  the  author  has  been  translated  in 
various  ways: 
(i)     The  New  Testament  is  latent 
in  the  Old;  the  Old  is  patent 
in  the  New. 
(2)     The   New  Testament  is  en- 
folded in  the  Old;  the  Old  is 
unfolded  in  the  New. 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  89 

(3)  The  New  is  in  the  Old  con- 
tained; the  Old  is  by  the 
New  exphiined. 

b.  "  No   man  can  profoundly   interpret 

the  New  Testament  who  is  not  pro- 
foundly conversant  with  the  Old." 

c.  "The   Old   Testament  and  the  New 

stand  related  to  one  another  as  blos- 
som and  ripe  fruit,  as  dawn  and 
noonday  effulgence,  as  promise 
and  ripe  accomplishment,  as  germ 
and  realization." 

v.— TESTIMONY   OF   JESUS    HIMSELF. 

For  this  order  C/!  5:31,  andS-.i^,,  14. 

Eor  Jesus'  competency  see  2'^i-     Of  what 

he  had  seen  and  heard  he  testified. 
//e  declared  it  to  be  his  mission  to  testijy 

Cf.  8:45,  46;  Rev.  3:14,  18:20,  22:16. 
Note  the  Prominefice  in  this  Gospd  oj  the 

personal  sel J  relation  oJ  Jesus. 
The  iyu)   £Cfj.c\  in  John. 

a.  I  am  (he)  /.  e.,  the  Christ  4:26. 

b.  I  am  (he).     Do  not  be  afraid  6:20. 

c.  I  am  the  bread  of  life,  6:35,  cf.  5:26, 

40;  6:27,  53,  54. 

d.  I  am  the  bread   which  came  down 

from  heaven,  6:41. 

e.  I  am  the  bread  of  life,  6:48. 

/     I  am  the  living  bread   which   came 
down  out  of  heaven,  6:48. 


90  STUDIES  IN  THE 

g.     I  am  the  light  of  the  world,  8:12.    Cfc 
9:5. 

h.     I  am  he  that  beareth  witness  of  my- 
self, 8:18. 

/.     I  am  from  above,  8:23. 

j.     I  am  not  of  this  world,  8:23, 

k.     I  am  (he)  8:24. 

/.     Then  shall  ye  kno\^  that  I  am  (he),: 
8:28. 

m.     Before   Abraham    I    am    (he),   8:58. 
Cf.  i:i  and  14. 

n.     I  am  the  door  of  the  sheep,  10:7, 

o.     I  am  the  door,  io:g. 

p.     I  am  the  good  shepherd,  10:11. 

q.     I  am  the  good  shepherd,  10:14. 

r.     I  am   the   resurrection  and  the  life, 
11:25.     Cf-  10:14,  18. 

s.     I  am  (he),  13:19. 

/.     I  am  the  way,  14:6,  ) 

u.    lam  the  truth,  14:6   ^Cf.  Psalm  86:il. 

V.     I  am  the  life,  14:6.  j 

Note :     He  does  not  say  I  show  the 
way;    I  am  truthful;    I  am  living. 

w.     I  am  the  vine,  15:1. 

X.     I  am  the  vine,  15:5. 

y.     I  am  not  of  this  world,  17:16. 

z.     I  am  (he),  18:5;  also  18:6. 

6.  Compare  the  I   A  MS  of  the  Revelation  of 

St.  fohii  ;   in  Isa.,  40-48. 

7.  Note  the  following  quotation  from  Gom^ 

ariis : 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  91 

"  I  anfj  what  I  was,  that  is  God. 
I  was  not  what  I  am,  that  is  man. 
I  am  now  called  both,  that  is  both  God 
and  man." 
N'ote  the  following  quotations  about  Jesus 

as  the  "  I  am  .•" 

"Stepping  out  of  the  years  of  time,  dis- 
entangling Himself  from  the  human 
and  all  its  limits  and  conditions.  He 
plants  Himself  in  Infinity,  and  com- 
prehending the  yesterday,  the  to-day 
and  the  forever  of  history,  declares 
Himself  at  every  point  the  I  am^ 

"  I  aj7i  is  existence  in  motion."      "  There 

is  noihing  so   transcendantly   sublime 

as   the   divine   egoism."      Cf.   in    Isa. 

40-48. 

Note  the  following-  questions  a7idajiswers:'- 

"  Who  is  the  only  Redeemer  of  God's 
elect?"  The  only  redeemer  of  God's 
elect  is  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  who  be- 
ing the  eternal  Son  of  God  became 
man  and  so  was  and  continueth  to  be 
God  and  man  in  two  distinct  natures 
and  one  person  forever." 

"  How  did  Christ  the  Son  of  God  become 
man?"  "Christ  the  Son  of  God  be- 
came man  by  taking  to  himself  a  true 
body  and  a  reasonable  soul,  being  con- 


*  These  are  introduced  because  of  their  bearing  upon 
the  question  of  the  two  natures  of  Christ. 


92  STUDIES  IN  THE 

ceived  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost 
in  the  womb  of  the  Virgin  Mary,  and 
born  of  her,  yet  without  sin." 

10.  Note  some  other  specific  claims  of  Jesus  : 

a.  I  am  the  Son  of  God,  10:36.    Cf.  3:16, 

18. 

b.  I  am  come  from  God,  8:42. 

c.  I  am  in  the  Father,  14:10,  II.     Cf.  5:23, 

24  where  he  claims  equality  with 
the  Father. 

d.  Thou  sayest  (the  truth)  that  I  am  a 

king,  18:37. 

11.  Note  the  special  and  unique  relation  to  the 

Father  which  is  claimed  by  Jesus  : 

a.  Read  chapter  5:19-29. 

b.  Read  chapter  8:12-50. 

c.  Read  chapter  9:22-39. 

12.  Remarks. 

a.  The  Jews  of  Jesus'  time  did  not  mis- 

understand His  claims.  He  went  to 
the  death  because  he  claimed  he 
was  the  Son  of  God. 

b.  In  the  light  of  Jesus'  own  claims,  as 

recorded  by  John,  we  do  not  won- 
der that  one  said:  ''Si  Christus 
non  Deus,  non  bonus. '  "  If  Christ 
is  not  God,  he  is  not  good." 

c.  Carlyle  in  grief  read  John  14:1-3,  and 

said:  "Yes,  if  you  are  God  ycu 
have  a  right  to  say  so,  but  if  you 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  93 

are  man,  what  do  you  know  about 
it  more  than  I  or  the  rest  of    us?" 

VI.      TESTIMONY     OF     VARIOUS      INDIVIDUALS. 

1.  For  testimony    of    John    Baptist,  See    i. 

above. 

2.  For  testimony  of  the  Father,  See  iii.  above. 

3.  For  testimony   of    Jesus  Himself,   See  V. 

above. 

4.  For  testimony  of  John  Evangelist: 

a.  At  the  beginning  of  Gospel,  See  1:14, 

i6,  where  he  gives  personal  experi- 
ence. 

b.  At  close  of  Gospel  see: 

(i).     19:35     about     the     blood     and 

water. 
(2).    21:24,  about  what  Jesus  did. 

5.  Andrew's   testimony  and   the   result,  1:41, 

42. 

6.  Philip's  testimony  and  the  result,  1:43,  49- 

7.  That   of   incredulous    Nathaniel,    1:49  Cf. 

20:30,31. 

8.  That  of   hesitating  Nicodemus,  3:2;  7:50- 

52;    19:39. 

9.  That  of   the  woman   at  the  well,  4:29-42. 

11.  That  of  Peter,  6:68,  69. 

12.  That  of  officers,  7:46. 

13.  That  of  the  blind  man,  9:30-33. 

14.  That  of  Martha,  11:27. 

15.  That  of  Pilate,  19:4,6. 

16.  That  of  Thomas,  20:29. 


94  STUDIES  IN  THE 

VII.      TESTIMONY  OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT. 

1.  Note  the  different  names  :     {a)   Comforter^ 

[b)  Helper,  {c)  Advocate,  {d)  Paraclete, 
Joh7i  14:16. 

2.  This  testimony  is  spoken  of  anticipatively 

John,  7:39;  14:16,  17,26;  15:26,27;  16:7-15. 

3.  The  testimo?iy  of  the  Spirit  discipleward : 

a.  To  bring  remembrance,  14:26. 

b.  To  teach,  14:26. 

c.  To  guide,  16:13. 

d.  To  make  them  channels  of  blessing, 
7:38. 

4.  The  testimo7iy  of  the  Spirit  worldward : 

a.  To  convict  of  sin,  16:7. 

b.  To  convict  of  righteousness,  16:7. 

c.  To  convict  of  judgment  to  come,  16:7. 

5.  References  to  fulfillment  of  Jesus'  predic- 

tion in  Acts  and  Epistles: 

a.  In  Acts  1:8,  16,  33;  5:31,  32,  etc. 

b.  In  Epistles  Rom.  1:4;  8:2,  14,  etc. 

c.  In  Revelation.     See   Epistles  to  the 

Churches,  etc. 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  95 

BELIEF.* 

I.      INSTANCES   OF    BELIEF. 

In  view  of  all  the  testimony  which  we  have 
examined  what?  Did  anybody  believe? 
Did  not  all  believe?  Could  anybody 
disbelieve?  The  writer  of  the  fourth 
Gospel  gives  not  only  reasons  for  belief, 
but  illustrations  of  the  power  of  the  evi- 
dence over  different  classes  of  persons 
as  follows: 

1.  The   two   (Andrew    and   John)   who  were 

directed   to   Jesus   by  John  the  Baptist, 
1 :37-42. 

2.  Philip  1:45. 

3.  Nathaniel,  1:50. 

4.  His  disciples,  2:ii. 

5.  His  disciples,  2:22. 

6.  Nicodemus,  3:2, 

7.  The  woman  at  the  well,  4:18,  2g. 

8.  The  Samaritans,  4:39,  40-42. 

9.  Galileans,  4:45. 

10.  The  Nobleman  and  his  house,  4:50,  53. 

11.  Peter  speaking  for  the  disciples,  6:66-69. 

12.  "Of  the  multitude  many." 

13.  The  man  born  blind,  9:17,  33,  36,  38. 

14.  "Many  believed  because  of  John's  word, 

10:42. 

15.  Martha,  11:27. 

16.  Many  of  the  Jews,  11:45;  12:11. 


♦Compare  Main  Diagram  p.  13. 


q6  studies  in  the 

17.  Even  of  the  rulers  many,  12:42. 

18.  John  in  the  tomb,  20:8. 

19.  Mary  Magdalene,  20:18. 

20.  The  disciples,  20:20. 

21.  Thomas,  20,  25. 

II.      INSTANCES   OF   UNBELIEF. 

It  is  worthy  of  special  note  that  the  au- 
thor of  this  Gospel  which  is  written  that 
men  might  believe  records  instances  of 
unbelief.     There  are  : 

1.  The  Jewish  Nation  as  such,  i:ii;  5:18; 
Cf.  i5:j8. 

2.  Judas  and  others,  6:64. 

3.  Even  his  brethren,  7:5. 

4.  Disciples,  many  texts.  See  especially 
in  chaps.  14-16. 

III.      DEVELOPMENT   OF    BELIEF. 

Dwight  in  Godet  speaks  of  the  word  believe 
thus:  ''This  word  which  means  each 
new  day  more  than  it  did  the  day  before." 
This  fact  is  strikingly  illustrated  in  the 
cases  of  belief  cited  by  John.  The  stu- 
dent of  psychology  is  convinced  as  he 
comes  in  contact  with  these  cases  that 
they  are  true  to  nature,  and  the  product 
of  no  dreamer  or  novelist.  Each  one 
should  take  the  instances  of  belief  as 
given  above  and  note  the  development 
in  each.  Consider  a  few  of  the  most 
striking: 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  97 

I.     The  w7-itcr  of  the  book. 

a.  In  the  prologue  he  states  that  he 
beheld  His  glory  and  received  of  hiy 
fulness  and  "grace  for  grace."  This 
last  expression  suggests  develop- 
ment. 

b.  That  two  hours'  conversation  with 
Jesus  recorded  in  the  second  chap- 
ter resulted  in   belief  in  John.     Yet 

c.  He  was  in  the  company  at  Cana  and 

included  himself  when  he  said  (2;ii) 
"  His  disciples  believed." 

d.  He  included  himself  when  in  that 
same  second  chapter  he  tells  us  that 
the  disciples  understood  after  he 
rose  from  the  dead  and  believed, 
and 

e.  He  tells  of  his  own  view  of  the  grave 

clothes  in  the  sepulchre  and  result- 
ant belief. 
/     We   are   interested    to    know    what 
John  learned  from  Mary  the  mother 
of  Jesus  after  he  took  her  to  his  own 
home  and  how  much  he  matured  as 
a  Christian  under  the  shadow  of  her 
influence. 
g.     Read  here  Godet,  vol.  i,  pp.  498,  499. 
2.     Nicodetniis. 

This  man  is  commonly,  slightingly  spoken 
of.  People  think  of  him  coming  to  Je- 
sus by  night  and  emphasizing  the  word 


98  STUDIES  IN  THE 

night.  Let  us  give  him  credit  for  com- 
ing to  Jesus  even  if  he  did  come  by- 
night,  and  let  us  remember  that  John 
speaks  of  him  in  two  other  places  in  his 
Gospel.  When  we  put  all  the  passages 
together  (3:2;  7:50;  19:39)  we  note 
marked  development  in  this  man.  What 
must  have  been  his  influence  after  the 
day  of  Pentecost! 

3.  The  Nob/eman  : 

a.  It  is  said  of  him  in  4:50  that  "he  be- 
lieved the  word  that  Jesus  spake 
unto  him  and  he  went  his  way." 
Let  the  reader  note  this  well  that 
it  is  just  and  only  this  simple  thing 
Jesus  asks  every  one  to  do.  It  is 
not  to  understand  or  be  able  to  ex- 
plain, but  simply  to  believe  the  word 
that  Jesus  speaks.  Belief  is  mani- 
fested by  action  as  in  this  case.  The 
result  will  always  be  as  with  the 
nobleman.  He  will  find  on  inves- 
tigation that  Jesus  speaks  the  truth 
and  he  will  believe  anew.     See  4:53. 

4.  The  man  born  blind. 

a.  In  9:11  He  says:  "A  man  that  is 
called  Jesus." 

b.  In  9:17  he  says  "A  prophet." 

c.  In  9:33  he  says  "  He  is  of  God." 

d.  In  9:39  he  worships  Him  as  the  Son 
of  God. 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  cf) 

Of  this  one  says  truly:  "What  writer  of 
fiction  of  the  second  century  could  have 
executed  such  a  study  in  psychology?" 

The  body  of  disciples. 
In  the  disciples  as  a  body  was  manifest 
this  development  in  a  very  interesting 
manner.  We  might  speak  of  three 
stages  of  belief  in  them:  First,  before 
the  death  of  Jesus  where  they  half  be- 
lieved at  best;  second,  while  He  was 
dead  when  they  abandoned  belief. 
Their  sentiment  then  was  expressed  by 
one  when  he  said:  "  We  trusted  that  it 
was  He;"  third,  after  Jesus'  resurrec- 
tion and  descent  in  the  person  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  when  they  fully  believed. 
Jesus  self-revelation  to  His  disciples  was 
gradual.  As  the  disciples  could  bear  he 
led  them  on.  But  they  were  so  slow,  so 
stupid.  So  are  we.  Consider  with  what 
patience  he  bore  with  their  unbelief. 
Note  how  careful  he  was  to  give  them 
good  ground  for  believing  in  Him.  If 
one  expresses  astonishment  at  an  expe- 
rience, he  encourages  him  by  telling  him 
he  shall  see  greater  things  than  these. 
When  He  has  explained  Himself  more 
fully  He  expresses  pleasure  and  says; 
"Do  ye  now  believe?"  The  drama  of 
the  Gospel  by  John  is  being  repeated  to- 
day.    All   stages  of  belief  pictured  by 


100  STUDIES  IN  THE 

John  are  in  our  midst.  The  same  Sa- 
viour also  is  at  hand.  As  then  so  now 
to  those  disposed  to  believe  he  says: 
"Come  and  ye  shall  see,"  and  he  does 
not  rest  until  he  has  called  them  by 
name  and  showed  them  His  hands  and 
His  feet,  and  drawn  from  them  the 
glad  confession:  "My  Lord  and  my 
God." 

IV. — DEVELOPMENT   OF    UNBELIEF. 

I.     The  case  of  Judas. 

a.  Knowledge  of  the  character  of  Judas 

by  Jesus  is  declared  in  6:64..  But 
apparently  Judas  had  not  then 
thought  of  betraying  Jesus,  for, 

b.  In    13:2   we   have   the   words:     "the 

devil  having  already  put  it  in  the 
heart  of  Judas  ...  to  betray 
him,"  indicating  that  the  introduc- 
tion of  the  idea  was  recent. 
C.  In  13:27  we  read:  "  Then  entered 
Satan  into  him."  The  advance  is 
terrible  and  rapid  from  possession 
of  the  devil's  thoughts  to  posses- 
sion of  the  devil  himself.  Judas, 
though,  had  been  for  a  long  while 
in  preparation  for  this  precipitous 
descent.  Even  the  preaching  of 
the  truth  to  which  he  had  been  list- 
ening hardened  him  gradually  for 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  loi 

it  did  not  gain  entrance  to  his  life. 
In  the  sixth  chapter  he  is  classed 
with  those  who  came  to  an  open 
rupture  with  the  Lord  because  he 
emphasized  truth  which  was  not 
ag-reeable  to  them. 
The  Jewish  Natioji. 

Jesus  came  unto  his  own  and  his  own  re- 
ceived him  not.  But  they  did  not  at 
once  reject  him.  Crucifixion  came  at 
the  end  of  a  gradual  development  in  op- 
position. In  the  second  chapter  the 
Jews  challenge  Him  to  show  by  what 
authority  he  acts  in  driving  them  from 
the  temple.  In  chapter  fifth  we  read 
that  they  sought  to  kill  him.  In  chaptei 
twelfth  we  find  opposition  organized  and 
the  decision  arrived  at  that  he  must  die. 
Again,  we  say,  the  Gospel  by  John  de- 
picts a  drama  which  is  being  repeated  to* 
day  in  every  city  where  Jesus  Christ  is 
named  and  presses  his  claims.  As  then 
so  now,  Unbelief  will  not  rest  until  it  has 
organized  against  the  Lord,  and  secured 
the  order  from  Pilate  to  crucify  Him, 
and  after  assurance  of  his  death  and  en- 
tombment received  permission  to  seal 
the  stone  that  is  rolled  to  the  door  of  the 
sepulchre.  When  evidence  of  His  res- 
urrection is  presented  it  deliberately 
evades  this  by  repeating  the  ridiculous 


102  STUDIES  IN  THE 

lie  that  his  disciples  stole  him  away  by 
night.  Let  me  repeat  it  that  on  the 
other  hand  Jesus  will  not  rest  in  his  en- 
deavor to  implant  faith  in  the  hearts  of 
those  disposed  to  accept  him,  until 
gladly  with  Thomas  they  cry:  "My 
Lord  and  my  God." 

V. — SECRET   OF    BELIEF. 

1.  Hearing-  the  word,  5:24,  17:20. 

2.  Receiving  the  word,  ly.Z. 

3.  Conti?tui?ig  in  the  word,Z:'T,i.     Cf.  1:12,  37. 

4.  Beholding   versus  seeing.     Cf.   with   care 

the  Revised  Version  of  6:36,  and  40.  Cf. 
12:45. 

5.  Drawn  by  the  Father,  6:44. 
6     Taught  of  God,  6:\s\^:\7. 

7.  Determining  to  do  the  will  of  God,  7:17. 

8.  Continuing  to  do  the  will  of  God.  8:34. 

9.  The  gift  of  God,  6 :36,  37,  44, 65 ;  17 :6,  9,  24: 

1:12;   10:26. 
10.     Cf.  Ephesia7is2:?>and  I  Cor.  2:c),ic).    Study 
with  this  the  Duty  of  Belief. 

VI. — EXPLANATIONS    OF    UNBELIEF. 

Note  that  many  of  these  are  given  by  Jesus 
Himself. 
I.    A  bad  life,  3:19,  20.     Cf.  8:45. 

It  is  a  moral  impossibility  for  one  de- 
termined to  be  bad  and  who  is  doing 
bad  to  believe. 


G c )sri:L  Jiv  j( )//y  103 

2.  Ullful  rcjiction  in  iJie  face  of  ample  cvi- 

i/ence,  5:40,  42. 

Read   liere   the    entire   passat^e  5:30-40, 

and  note  that  v.  40  is  the  climax  of  the 

whole. 

3.  biability  to  explain  processes  : 

Note  the  three  questions  in  John  which 
begin  with  the  word  How? 

a.  3:11.     The  answer  to  this  question  is 

a  reassertion  of  the  statement  with 
emphasis  of  competency  to  testify. 

b.  6:42.     "  How   does    he    say    I    came 

down  out  of  heaven,"  when  we 
know  his  family?  This  question  is 
asked  to=day  and  believed  by  some 
to  be  a  sufficient  answer  to  the  un- 
impeachable testimony  given  for 
the  divinity  of  Christ! 

c.  6:52.     "  How  can  this    man   give   us 

his  flesh  to  eat?  "  Read  on  for  His 
own  interpretation. 

4.  \Va7it  of  a  coinprehensive    knowledge  of 

scripture,  7:41,  42. 

The  prophecies  about  Jesus  coming  to 
Bethlehem  were  so  well  known  that 
the  people  forgot  or  overlooked  the 
others  about  a  light  arising  in  the 
North  country.  The  same  difficulty 
prevented  Philip  from  giving  Nathan- 
iel an  explanation.  These  two  did  the 
wise  thing  and  went  to  see  for  them- 


104  STUDIES  IN  THE 

selves  whether   the   claims   made  for 
Jesus  were  true. 

5.  Forgetfulness  of  Scripture :     20:9,  Cf.  Luke 

24:25. 

This  was  the  trouble  with  the  disciples 
when  Jesus  was  dead.  They  forgot  all 
His  words  to  them  about  His  resurrec- 
tion. How  many  of  us  are  in  trouble 
and  all  because  we  forget  His  word! 

6.  Pride  of  Life,  ^:\\,Qi.\i:\\. 

7.  The  excuse  that  he  bore  witness  of  himself 

8:13,  14. 

8.  The  excuse  that  the  great  did  not  believe, 

7:48. 
Q.     The  humble  origin  of  fesus,  7:48. 

10.  He   outraged    their    religious  prejudices, 

5:16. 

11.  The  deep  spirituality  of  his  teaching  and 

their  gross  materialistic  ideas,  6:52  ff. 

12.  fudicial  blindness,  12:26. 

In  a  sense  it  is  sometimes  true  when  one 
says:  "I  cannot  believe."  Sin  is  pun- 
ished by  the  sinner  being  allowed  to  sin 
more.  This  continues  if  one  persists  un  ■ 
til  inability  to  do  other  than  £in  results. 
What  an  awful  state  into  which  the  wil- 
ful sinner  brings  himself  ! 

YII.      RESULTS   OF    BELIEF. 

I.    hi  general — Eternal  life,  6:47,     Cf.  11:25, 
26;  20:30. 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  105 

J.  In  particular.  These  following  are  put 
explanatory  and  definative  of  eternal 
life. 

a.  Food,  6:35,  5-8. 

b.  Drink,  4'-i3»i4- 

c.  Freedom,  8:32. 

d.  Knoivledge,,  8:22;  17:3. 

e.  Light,  12:36. 

/    Peace y  14:1,  27.     Cf.  20:20,  21,  27. 

N.  B.  My  peace.  What  was  His 
peace?  What  is  this  peace?  Am  I 
possessor  of  it? 

g.     /(?>/,  14:28;  16:22,23,  21. 

N.  B.  My  joy.  What  was  His  joy? 
What  is  His  joy?  Am  I  possessor 
of  it  according  to  His  promise? 

//.     Power,  14:12. 

/.     Witness  in  self,  i  John,  5:10,  11. 

j.     Commimicators  of  blessings  to  others, 

W^hat  possibilities  are  pictured  here!  Are 
we  enjoying  what  God  wishes  may  be 
ours,  and  what  we  ma)  will  shall  be 
ours? 

VIII. — RESULTS   OF   UNBELIEF. 

1.  In  general.    Eterfial  death,  y.^6;  ^-.^2). 

2.  I?i  particular.     These  following  are   but 

explanatory  and    definative    of    eternal 

death : 

a.    Hunger,  6:35,  58. 


io6  6"  TUDIES  IN  THE 

b.  Thirst,  4:13,  14. 

c.  Bondage,  8:34. 

d.  Ig7iorance,  8:19;  55. 

e.  Dark?t£ss,  3:20. 
/  Trouble,  14:1. 

g.     Sorrow,  14:28;    16:6. 
h.     Weakness,  15:5. 
/.     Witness  of  si?t,  16:9. 
j.     Judged  already,  3:18. 
What  a  picture   of  a  soul  without  Christ! 
Who  in  the  presence  of  it   will  refuse  to 
believe  or  hesitate  to  tell  another  of  his 
condition  apart  from  the  living  One? 

IX.  — DUTY    OF    BELIEF. 

This  is  emphasized  in  a  remarkable  man- 
ner in  this  fourth  Gospel.  Note  that 
while  faith  is  distinctly  declared  to  be 
the  gift  of  God,  it  is  most  clearly  shown 
■  to  be  our  duty  to  believe.  Some  one  has 
said  that  "God's  commands  are  his  en- 
ablings."  This  is  wonderfully  true. 
The  man  with  the  withered  hand  was 
i  commanded    to    stretch    it    forth.      He 

could  not  do  it,  and  yet  he  obeyed  the 
command  and  did  do  it.  "  This  is  the 
work  of  God  that  ye  believe."  Follow- 
ing is  a  reference  of  some  sort  to  obe- 
dience in  every  chapter  of  John.  The 
student  should  ponder  this  subject  with 
care: 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  107 

I.  "  To  as  many  as  received  him" — "Fol- 

low me." 

II.  "What  he   saith    unto    you,    do  it." 

Note  the  result. 

III.  "He  that  doeth  the  truth  cometh  to 

the  light,"  V.  21.  "  He  that  obey- 
eth  not,"  V.  36. 

IV.  Obedience  illustrated  in  the   Noble- 

man. 

V.  Obedience    illustrated    in'   man  with 

infirmity. 

VI.  "  This  is  the  work  of  God  that  ye  be- 

lieve," V.  39. 

VII.  "He  that  willeth  to  do  His  will  shall 

know,"  V.  17. 
V'lll.         Obedience  a  sign  of  sonship. 

IX.  Obedience    illustrated    in  the    blind 

man. 

X.  Obedience  of  Jesus  evidence  of  his 

truth,  vs.  25,  32,  37. 

XI.  Martha  at  the  tomb,  vs.  39,  40. 

XII.  Results  of  obedience,  26,  27,  47-50. 

XIII.  "If  ye  know  these  things  happy  arc 

ye  if  ye  do  them,"  v.  17. 

XIV.  "He  that  hath   my   commandments 

and  keepeth  them,  he  it  is  that 
loveth  me;  and  he  that  loveth  me 
shall  be  loved  by  my  Father  and  I 
will  love  him,  and  will  manifest 
myself  unto  him."  V.  21.  Cf.  v. 
23. 


io8  STUDIES  IN  THE 

XV.  "  If  ye  keep  my  commandments  ye 

shall  abide  in  my  love,"  v.  lo. 

XVI.  Incentives  to  obedience,  v.  24. 

XVII.  "  I  have  finished  the  work.     ...     I 

have  glorified  thee,"  v.  4.     "  They 
kept  thy  word,"  v.  6. 

XVIII.  Illustrated  in  Christ's  word,  v.  11. 

XIX.  Illustrated   in   Christ's  act  of  obedi- 

ence to  the  death. 

XX.  Blessedness  of  declared,  v.  29. 

XXI.  Success  following  obedience,  v.  6. 

"  When  thou  read'st  what  here  is  writ 
Let  thy  best  practice  second  it. 
So  twice  each  precept  read  shall  be 
First  in  the  Book  and  next  in  thee." 
A  lady  once   said:     "I  cannot   enjoy  the 
Bible.     It  is  very  dull  and  uninteresting 
to  me."     "  Read,"  was  the  answer,  "  until 
you  come  to  the  first  command,  then  go 
and  obey  that  command.      Afterwards, 
read  on  until  you  come  to  another  com- 
mand, obey  that,  and  keep  on  obeying." 
Shortly  after  this  admonition  the  lady 
returned    smiling    and   said:      "  I    have 
done  what  you  said  and  the  Bible  is  a 
new  book  to  me." 

X.      THE  SIN  OF  UNBELIEF. 

The  student  who  has  followed  these  stud- 
ies thus  far  must  recognize  that  every- 
where in  the  Gospel  one  is  made  to  feel 
that  unbelief   is   sin.     Perhaps  the  most 


G  OS  PEL  B  V  JOHN  109 

specific  passages  to  be  found  on  this 
point  in  this  Gospel  are  3:18  and  16:8,  9. 
Note  that  sin  is  emphasized  in  connec- 
tion with  rejection  of  Jesus  Christ.  Men 
are  judged  by  their  treatment  of  the  Son 
of  the  Father. 

XI.      THE  TIME  OF  BELIEF. 

"Yet  a  little  while  is  the  light  among  [mar- 
gin in]  you.  Walk  while  ye  have  the 
light  that  darkness  overtake  you  not : 
and  he  that  walketh  in  the  darkness 
knoweth  not  whither  he  goeth.  While 
ye  have  the  light,  believe  on  the  light, 
that  ye  may  become  sons  of  the  light." 
John  12:35,  36. 

XII.      OBJECT  OF    BELIEF. 

The  object  of  belief  is  a  personal  Savior. 
The  Spirit  testifies  of  Him.  Men  are 
convicted  because  they  believe  not  on 
Him.  Vital  union  to  Jesus  Christ  by 
faith  is  the  only  method  by  which  life 
can  find  its  way  into  the  soul."  "As 
Moses  lifted  up  the  serpent  in  the  wil- 
derness, even  so  must  the  Son  of  Man  be 
lifted  up;  that  whosoever  believeth  may 
in  Him  have  eternal  life.  For  God  so 
loved  the  world,  that  He  gave  His  only  be- 
gotten Son,  that  whosoever  believeth  on 
Him,  should  not  perish,  but  have  eternal 
life.     For  God  sent  not  His  Son  into  the 


no  STUDIES  IN  JOHN 

world  to  judge  the  world ;  but  that  the 
world  should  be  saved  through  Him. 
He  that  believeth  on  Him  is  not  judged. 
He  that  believeth  not  hath  been  judged 
already  because  He  hath  not  believed 
on  the  name  of  the  only  begotten  Son  of 
God."     John  3:14-18. 


PART  FOUR. 


SPECIAL   TOPICS  FOR  STUDY. 


1.  Time  of  writing. 

2.  Place  of  writing. 

3.  Style  of  writing. 

4.  Collect  evidence  from  the  book  that  the  au- 

thor was  a  Jew. 

5.  Collect  evidence  from  the  book  that  the  au- 

thor was  a  Jew  of  Palestine. 

6.  Collect  evidence  from  the  book  that  the  au- 

thor was  an  eye-witness  of  much  of  which 
he  wrote. 

7.  Collect  evidence  from  the  book  that  the  au- 

thor was  one  of  the  twelve  disciples. 

8.  Collect  evidence  from  the  book  that  the  au- 

thor was  the  disciple  John. 

9.  Summary  of  the  external  evidences  of  the 

genuineness  and  authenticity  of  the  Gospel 

by  John. 
[o.     Some  internal  evidences  of  the  genuineness 

and  authenticity  of  the  fourth  Gospel. 
[I.     Some  quotations  from  John  by  the  fathers. 


1 12  STUDIES  IN  THE 

12.  Some  quotations  from  the  fathers  about  John. 

13.  Character  of  John  the  Evangelist. 

14.  Occasion  of  writing. 

15.  Gnosticism. 

16.  Cerinthus. 

17.  "  The  Alogians." 

18.  The  fourth  Gospel  and  the  first  Epistle  of 

John. 

19.  The  fourth  Gospel  and  the  book  of  the  Rev- 

elation. 

20.  Some  distinguishing  features  of  the  fourth 

Gospel. 

21.  Omissions  by  John.     Cf.  the  Synoptists. 

22.  Common  parts  in  John  and  the  Synoptists. 

23.  Difference  in  reception  of  Jesus  by  the  North 

and   the    South    according    to    the   fourth 
Gospel. 

24.  Peter  in  the  fourth  Gospel. 

25.  St.  John  in  Art. 

26.  The  Allegories  in  John. 

27.  Outline  of  the  Gospel. 

28.  Influence  of  Jesus'  mother  on  John. 

29.  Seeming  contradictory  statements  in  John. 

30.  Account  for  special  intimacy  between  Jesus 

and   John  which    justified    the   expression 
"that  disciple  whom  Jesus  loved." 

31.  The  night  scenes  in  John. 

32.  The  conversations  of  Jesus  in  John. 

33.  The  Holy  Spirit  in  John. 

34.  The  feasts  mentioned  in  John. 

35.  The  early  church  councils  in  their  statements 

about  the  person  of  Christ. 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN 


"3 


WORDS    FOR    STUDY. 


1.  Believe. 

2.  Witness. 

3.  Know. 

4.  The  Word. 

5.  Life.   Cf.  in  I.  John. 

6.  Light. 

7.  Truth. 

8.  Father. 

9.  Only  begotten. 

10.  Son. 

11.  Name. 

12.  Right  (authority). 

13.  Abide.  Cf.  in  L  John. 

14.  Commandment. 

15.  Comforter. 

16.  Manifest.       Cf.     in 

I.  John. 


17.  Glory,  glorify. 

18.  Verily. 

19.  Judgment. 

20.  World. 

21.  Love. 

22.  Pray,  Prayer. 

23.  Signs. 

24.  Works. 

25.  Receive,  received. 

26.  Flesh. 

27.  Blood. 

28.  Sin. 

29.  Devil. 

30.  In  order  that. 

31.  Therefore. 

32.  Overcome. 


SPECIMEN  WORD    STUDY.* 


Verily. 

1.  Found  fifty  times  in  John. 

2.  Found  in  twenty-five  verses. 

3.  Always  repeated  where  found. 

4.  Repeated  only  in  this  Gospel. 

5.  Always  in  the  mouth  of  Jesus. 


*  This  is  given  to  suggest  to  the  student  how  to  proceed  in 
the  study  of  a  word.  The  first  thing  to  do  is  to  collect  all  the 
passages  in  which  the  word  is  found, 


114 


STUDIES  IN  THE 


6.  Never  at  the  beginning  of  a  discourse. 

7.  Always  either: 

a.  In  continuation  of  a  discourse. 

b.  To  introduce  some  deep  truth. 

c.  In  reply. 

8.  Introduces  always  a  truth  of  special  solem- 

nity and  importance. 


PLACES    FOR    STUDY. 


1.  Bethany    beyond  13 

Jordan.  14 

2.  Bethsaida.          See  15 

George  A.  Smith's  16 
Geography  of  Pal-  17 
estine,  p.  458. 

3.  Nazareth. 

4.  Cana  of  Galilee. 

5.  Capernaum. 

6.  Jerusalem. 

7.  .(Enon  near  toSalim 
8    Sychar,  See 

George  A.  Smith's  23 
Geography  of  Pal-  24 
estine,     pp.     no, 
351-375-  25 

9.  Samaria.  26 

10.  Judea.  27 

11.  Bethesda  (5:  2).  28 

12.  Tiberias. 


Bethlehem. 

The  Mount  of  Olives. 

The  Pool  of  Siloam. 

Solomon's  porch. 

Bethany. 

Lazarus'  tomb. 

A  city  called  Ephra- 

im. 
The  brook  Kidron 
A  garden  (18:  i). 
The   Court    of    the 

high  priest. 
The  palace  {18:28). 
The  pavement  (19: 

13). 
Golgotha. 
Arimathea. 
The  tomb  of  Jesus. 
"Where    the    disci- 
ples were  "  (20: 19). 


GOSPEL  B  V  JOHN  1 1 5 

CHARACTERS    FOR   STUDY.* 


I. 

Jesus. 

15- 

Lazarus. 

2. 

John  the  Evangelist. 

16. 

Mary. 

3- 

John  the  Baptist. 

17- 

Martha. 

4- 

Andrew. 

18. 

Thomas. 

5- 

Peter. 

19. 

Judas  Iscariot. 

6. 

Philip. 

20. 

Judas  (not  Iscariot). 

7- 

Nathaniel. 

21. 

Malchus. 

8. 

Jesus'  mother. 

22. 

Caiaphas. 

9 

Nicodemus. 

23- 

Annas. 

10. 

The   Samaritan 

24. 

The  Maid  (18:  16). 

woman. 

25^ 

Pilate. 

II. 

The  Nobleman. 

26. 

Barabbas. 

12. 

"A    certain    man" 

27. 

Mary  Magdalene. 

(5:5)- 

28. 

Mary,    the    wife    of 

13- 

"A  lad"  (6:9). 

Cleopas. 

14. 

The  man  blind  from 

29. 

Joseph    of     Arima- 

his  birth. 

thea. 

*  In  the  study  of  a  character,  first  of  all  collect  all  the  ma- 
terial in  the  Gospel;  then  write  down  conclusions  which  the 
facts  demand.  Afterwards  learn  what  you  can  from  other 
sources:  \n)  Other  books  of  the  Bible;  [p)  Bible  dictionaries; 
(t)  Other  sources  of  information. 


ii6        .  STUDIES  IN  THE 

OUTLINE  FOR  STUDY  OF  A  CHAPTER 

(The  following  are  the  headings  of  Outline  for  Chap- 
ter Study  used  in  the  Bible  Institute.) 

1.  Past    experience.         (Here  note  any  interesting  ex- 

perience with  the  chapter  or  any  part  of  it.) 

2.  Present  knowledge.    (Here  write    in    a  sentence    a 

statement     about     your  present  knowledge  of  the 
chapter.) 

3.  First  impression   after    reading  aloud    without    in- 

terruption. 

4-  Relation  to  preceding  chapter. 

5.  Relation     to     succeeding    chapter. 

6.  Relation  to  development  of  plan  of  book  as  a  whole 

7.  Name  (see  chart  p.  14). 

8.  Date. 

9.  Literary  characteristics. 

10.  Best  text. 

11.  Key  verse. 

12.  Parallel  passages. 

13.  Persons. 

14.  Places. 

15.  Authorized  and  Revised  versions  compared. 

16.  Five  striking  facts  noted. 

17.  Condensation  of  thought  in  your  own  language. 

18.  Theme  with  outline  of  thought. 

19.  Topics  for  study  suggested. 

20.  Words  for  study  suggested. 

21.  Difficulties  and  Questions  suggested. 

22.  Remarks,  Observations,  Lessons,  Applications  and 

Illustrations. 

23.  Results  of  study:   a.     As  to  my  belief,    b.     As  to  my 

practice. 


GOSPEL  BY  J  OH  X 


117 


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Ii8  STUDIES  IN  THE 

SOME  BOOKS  FOR  CONSULTATION 

IN    THE    STUDY    OF    THE 

GOSPEL   BY   JOHN. 


I  Westcott's  Introduction  to  the  Gospel  by 
John  in  "  The  Bible  (Comprehensive)  Com- 
mentary." 

2.  Westcott's  "  Introduction  to  the  Study  of  the 

Gospels." 

3.  Godet's    "Commentary   on    the   Gospel    by 

John,"  with  Introduction.  Do  not  fail  to 
read  Notes  by  the  American  author  in  Vol. 
I.,  pp.  491-512. 

4.  "The  Cambridge  Bible    (Commentary)    for 

Schools  and  Colleges,"  by  Plummer. 

5.  Expositor's  Bible  in  two  volumes,  by  Dods. 

6.  "The  Pulpit  Commentary  on   John"   with 

Introduction. 

7.  Milligan  on  John  in  '  'A  Popular  Commentary 

on  the  New  Testament." 

8.  Greenleaf   on   "Examination  of    the  Testi-, 

mony  of  the  Four  Evangelists  by  the  Rules 
of  Evidence  as  Administered  in  Courts  of 
Justice,  with  an  Account  of  the  Trial  of 
Jesus." 

9.  Ryle's  Expository  Notes  on  John. 

10.  ' '  St.  John  the  Author  of  the  Fourth  Gospel " 

— Salmon. 

11.  "St.  John  the  Author  of  the  Fourth  Gospel" 

— Luthardt. 

12.  "The  Authorship  of    the   Fourth   Gospel — 

External  Evidence  " — Dr.  Ezra  Abbot. 


GOSPEL  n  V  JOHN  1 19 

13.  "Love  Revealed,"  by  Bowen. 

14.  Bernard's  "Progress  of  Doctrine  in  the  Nevir 

Testament." 

15.  "The    Johannine  Theology,"   by    Professor 

Stevens' 

16.  "The   Historical    Geography   of    the    Holy 

Land,"  by  George  Adam  Smith. 

17.  Stalker's  "Two  Johns  of  the  New  Testa- 

ment." 

18.  "A  Lawyer's  Examination  of  the  Bible" 

— Russell. 

19.  "The  Divine  Origin  of  Christianity  indi- 

cated by  its  Historical  Effects" — Storrs. 

20.  Various  Introductions  to  the  New  Testament 

on  John,  such  as  Farrar's  "Messages  of 
the  Books,"  Harman,  Dods,  Kerr,  McCly- 
mont,  etc. 

Referring  to  Ewald,  Luthardt  and  Weiss,  in 
Germany,  Godet  in  France,  and  Lightfoot,  West- 
cott  and  Sanday  in  England,  one  says:  "  So  long 
as  the  arguments  of  such  writers  remain  unre- 
futed,  we  may  still  hold  to  the  conviction  that  we 
have  before  us  in  this  gospel  a  genuine  work  of  the 
beloved  disciple." 


120  STUDIES  IN  THE 

COURSES   OF    BIBLE    STUDY    SUG- 
GESTED. 


III.  I.  II. 


PRE-INCARNATION 

The  Old  Testam't. 


INCARNATION  POST-INCARNATION 


The  Four  Gospels.  ||  Acts  to  Revelation 


I.  The  Gospel  by  John  According  to  Plan 
OF  THIS  Book. 

Supple  me  fitary  or  Parallel  Courses. 

1.  Supplementary  material  (following 
outline  of  John)  in  Matthew,  Mark 
and  Luke. 

2.  Matthew,  Mark  and  Luke,  each  in 
light  of  specific  object  of  writing. 

3.  A  chronological  study  of  the  Life  of 
Christ  with  Harmony  of  the  Gospels. 

4.  The  Miracles  of  Jesus. 

5.  The  Parables  of  Jesus. 

II.  The  Book  of  Acts  with  Rapid  Readings 
OF  the  Various  Epistles  in  Chronologi- 
cal Order  in  the  Light  of  Jesus'  Pre- 
diction Concerning  the  Holy  Spirit  : 
"He  Shall  Testify  of  Me." 

Supplementary  or  Parallel  Courses. 

1.  The  Life  and  Writings  of  Paul. 

2.  The  Life  and  Writings  of  Peter. 

3.  The  Life  and  Writings  of  John. 

4.  The  Epistles  to  the  Romans  and  Ga- 
latians. 

5.  The  Epistles  to  the  Corinthians. 

6.  The  Prison   Literature  —  Ephesians, 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  121 

Phillipians,  Colossians,  Philemon. 
7.    The  Pastoral  Epistles. 
III.    The  Messianic  Element  in  the  Old  Tes- 
tament IN  THE  Light  of  Jesus'  Declara- 
tion (John  5  -.39)  ' '  The  Scriptures  Testify 
OF  Me."* 
Supplementary  or  Parallel  Courses. 

1.  The  Messianic  Passages  in  the  O.   T. 
in  chronological  order. 

2.  The  Sacrificial  System  of  the  Jews — 
Typology. 

3.  The  History  of  the  Jewish  Nation. 

4.  The    Life   of    David    with    books    of 
Samuel  and  Psalms. 

5.  The  Life  and  Writings  of  Isaiah. 

6.  The  Life  and  Writings  of  Jeremiah. 

7.  The  Minor  Prophets  with  Historical 
background. 


*SeeStudies  VII,  VIU. 


122 


STUDIES  IN  THE 


BEST  VERSE    IN    EACH    CHAPTER 
IN  JOHN. 


Members  of  classes  at  the  Lake  Geneva  (Wis- 
consin) College  Conference,  the  Northfield  Col- 
lege Conferences,  and  the  Bible  Institute,  Chicago, 
during  the  summer  of  1895,  were  asked  to  report 
without  consultation  with  others  the  "best  all 
round  "  verse  in  each  chapter  of  John. 

Following  is  the  list  receiving  the  largest  num- 
ber of  votes. 

It  is  suggested  that  each  one  before  consulting 
this  list,  make  one  for  himself,  and  afterwards 
compare  with  that  here  given. 

Many  promised  to  memorize  the  list  chosen. 
Every  one  should  memorize  at  least  one  verse 
from  each  chapter  in  John. 


I.  12 
II.     5 

III.  16 

IV.  14 
V.  24 

VI.  35 
VII.  17 


VIII.    12 

IX.  4 

X.  9 

XI.  25 

XII.  32 

XIII.  34 

XIV.  27 


XV.  5 

XVI.  33 

XVII.  3 

XVIII.  37 

XIX.  26 

XX.  31 

XXI.  17 


G  OS  PEL  n  V  JOHN  i  ^3 

ORDER   FOR   GROUP    MEETING. 


1.  Recite  in  concert  a  verse  selected  from  the 

Gospel  by  the  class. 

2.  Let  each  member  of  the  group  recite  a  verse 

of  his  own  selection  from  the  Gospel. 

3.  Pray. 

4.  Spend  five  minutes  of  every  hour  of  meet-" 

ing  in  review,  giving  special  attention  to 
gaining  thorough  familiarity  with  the  ma- 
terial in  the  book.  Let  the  leader  ask  for 
the  contents  of  various  chapters;  e.  g.. 
What  chapter  contains  the  account  of  the 
Good  Shepherd  ?     What  is  in  chapter  IX.  ? 

5.  Let  each  report  in  a  single  sentence  the  most 

striking  fact  discovered  since  the  last  meet- 
ing. 

6.  Compare  results  of  study  of  main  topic.    See 

list  p.  5. 

7.  Hear  report  of  special  topic  assigned  some 

member  of  the  class.     See  list  p.  III. 

8.  Hear  report  on  special  zuord  assigned  some 

member  of  the  class.     See  list  p.  1 1 3. 

9.  Hear  location  and  description  of  a  place  as- 

signed some  member  of  the  class.  See 
list  p.  114. 

10.  Hear  description  of   a   character  assigned 

some  member  of  the  class.     See  list  p.  115. 

11.  Hear  answers  to  difficulties  assigned  mem- 

bers at  a  previous  meeting  for  investigation. 

12.  Hear  an  illustration    which    some    member 

may  wish  to  give. 

13.  Let  each  who  will  announce  a  determination. 

14.  Assign  work  for  the  following  meeting. 

15.  Pray. 


124  STUDIES  IN  THE 

VARIOUS   RAPID    READINGS   OF   THE 
GOSPEL  BY  JOHN. 


1.  Read  and  make  a  chart  similar  to   chart 

p.  15,  putting  catch  sentences  or  words 
in  the  chapter  spaces  for  the  purpose  of 
gaining  familiarity  with  the  material. 

2.  Read  and  make  a  chart  similar   to  chart 

p.  22,  grouping  the  material  about  the 
feasts, 

3.  Read  and  make  a  chart   similar   to   chart 

p.  18,  grouping  the  material  about  the 
miracles. 

4.  Read  rapidly  and  note  the  setting  of  the 

word  believe^  which  occurs  nearly  one 
hundred  times. 

5.  Read  rapidly  and  note  the  setting  of  the 

word  witness,  which  occurs  nearly  fifty 
times. 

6.  Read  rapidly  and  note  the  setting  of  the 

word  sig7i,  which  occurs  seventeen  times. 

7.  Read  rapidly  and  note  the  setting  of  the 

word  work. 

8.  Read  rapidly  and  note  the  setting  of  the 

word  Father. 

g.  Read  rapidly  and  nots  material  in  the 
light  of  the  statement  in  20:31,  that  Jesus 
is  the  Christ  (i.  e.,  the  Messiah  of  the 
Jews). 

[D.  Read  rapidly  and  note  material  in  the 
light  of  the  statement  in  20:31,  that  Jesus 
is  the  Son  of  God.     Note  characteristics 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  125 

here  which  indicate  that  this  is  the  Uni- 
versal Gospel — i.  e.,  not  for  Jews  alone 
but  for  the  whole  world. 

11.  Read  rapidly  in  light  of  the  statement  in 

20:30,  that  he  wrought  these  signs  "in 
the  presence  of  his  disciples." 

12.  Read  rapidly  for  all  names  by  which  Jesus 

was  called  by  Himself  or  others. 

13.  Read  rapidly  for  all  attributes  manifestly 

belonging  to,  claimed  by,  or  ascribed  to 
Jesus. 

14.  Read  rapidly  for  all  works  done  or  c  !aimed 

to  have  been  done,  or  announced  to  be 
done  by  Jesus. 

15.  Read  rapidly,  for  instances  of  worship  of 

Jesus. 

16.  Read   rapidly   for   all   names   of   persons 

mentioned  in  the  Gospel.  Afterwaids 
think  through  the  book  with  the  list  be- 
fore you  and  locate  each  in  the  material. 

17.  Read  rapidly  for  all  names  of  places  men- 

tioned in  the  Gospel.  Afterwards  think 
through  the  book  with  the  list  before 
you  and  locate  each  in  the  material. 

18.  Read  rapidly  for  the  teaching  of  the  Gos- 

pel about  the  Holy  Spirit. 

19.  Read  rapidly  for  the  teaching  of  the  Gos- 

pel about  sin. 

20.  Read  rapidly  for  the  teaching  of  the  Gos- 

pel about  the  Devil  and  demons. 

21.  Read  rapidly  for  the  teaching  of  the  Gos- 

pel about  prayer. 


126  STUDIES  ly  TKE 

22.  Read  rapidly  with    the  words  glory,  glo- 

rify in  mind. 

23.  Read    rapidly   with    the   words   manifest, 

7nanifested  in  mind. 

24.  Read  rapidly  for  evidence  that  the   book 

was  written  by  a  Jew. 

25.  Read  rapidly  for  evidence  that  the  book 

was  written  by  a  Jew  of  Palestine. 

26.  Read  rapidly  for  evidence  that  the  book 

was  written  by  an  eye  witness.  Here 
note  mention  of  distances,  dates,  times, 
places,  etc. 

27.  Read  rapidly  for  evidence  that  the  book 

was  written  by  a  disciple  of  Jesus. 

28.  Read  rapidly  for  evidence  that  the  book 

was  written  by  the  disciple  John. 

29.  Read  rapidly  for  some  distinguishing  fea- 

tures of  the  Gospel. 

30.  Read   rapidly   noting   the  place    Peter  is 

given  in  this  Gospel. 

31.  Read  rapidly  for  the  testimony  of  John  the 

Baptist  in  the  Gospel. 

32.  Read  rapidly  for  the  testimony  of   Jesus' 

mighty  works  in  the  Gospel. 

33.  Read   rapidly   for   the   testimony   of    the 

Father  in  the  Gospel. 

34.  Read   rapidly  for    the    testimony   of    the 

Scriptures  in  the  Gospel. 

35.  Read   rapidly  for  the  testimony  of  Jesus 

Himself  in  the  Gospel. 

36.  Read  rapidly   for  the   testimony  of  Indi- 

viduals in  the  Gospel, 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  127 

37.  Read   rapidly    for   the   testimony   of    the 

Holy  Spirit  in  the  Gospel. 

38.  Read  rapidly  for  the  Instances  of  Belief  in 

the  Gospel. 

39.  Read  rapidly  for  the  Instances  of  Unbe- 

lief in  the  Gospel. 

40.  Read   rapidly   for    the    Development    of 

Belief  in  the  Gospel. 

41.  Read   rapidly    for    the    Development  of 

Unbelief  in  the  Gospel. 

42.  Read  rapidly  for  Secret  of  Belief  in  the 

Gospel. 

43.  Read  rapidly  for  Explanations  of  Unbelief 

in  the  Gospel. 

44.  Read  rapidly  for  the  Results  of  Belief  in 

the  Gospel. 

45.  Read  rapidly  for  the  Results  of  Unbelief 

in  the  Gospel. 

46.  Read  rapidly  for  the  Duty  of  Belief  in  the 

Gospel. 

47.  Read  rapidly  for  the  Time  and  Object  of 

Belief  in  the  Gospel. 

48.  Read  rapidly   for  the  Sin  of  Unbelief  in 

the  Gospel. 

49.  Read  rapidly  for  the  gradual  self=revela- 

tionof  Jesus.  Note  in  this  reading  the 
expression  "mine  hour  is  not  yet  come." 
Was  Jesus'  life  a  self==revelation  known 
from  the  beginning  or  was  it  a  revela- 
tion to  self  or  both? 
50  Read  rapidly  and  note  all  references  or 
allusions  of    a  typical  character — e.  g. 


128  STUDIES  IN  THE 

•'The  lamb  of  God,"  "Destroy  this 
temple,"  "As  Moses  lifted  up  the  ser- 
pent," etc. 

51.  Read  and  note  all  changes  made  by  the 

revisers; 

a.  Which  are  confined  to  verbiage  only, 
leaving  the  meaning  the  same. 

b.  Which  change  the  meaning. 

52.  Read  deliberately  chapter  by  chapter  and 

at  the  end  of  each  chapter  note  on  paper 
the  most  striking  fact  which  comes  to  you 
while  reading. 


GOSPEL  BY  JOHN  129 

SOME  RULES  ABOUT  TESTIMONY. 


1.  A  proposition  of  fact  is  proved  when  its 

truth  is  established  by  competent  and 
satisfactory  evidence. 

2.  In  the  absence   of   circumstances    which 

generate  suspicion,  every  witness  is  to 
,be  presumed  credible  until  the  contrary 
is  shown,   the  burden   of  impeachment 
being  on  the  objector. 

3.  The  credit  due  to  testimony  of  witnesses 

depends  {a)  on  their  honesty,  {b)  their 
ability,  (i:)  their  number  and  consistency, 
{d)  the  coincidence  of  their  testimony 
with  collateral  circumstances. 

4.  The  testimony  of  an  adversary  in  one's 

favor  is  stronger  than  that  of  a  friend. 

5.  Testimony  on   matters   of  great   interest 

relating  to  any  living  parties,  publicly 
given,  and  remaining  on  file,  may  be 
generally  taken  as  true. 

6.  Testimony  to  facts  not  understood  by  the 

witness  is  not  likely  to  be  forged. 

7.  Admissions  and  confessions  given  by  any 

person  of  that  which  would  injure  him- 
self may  generally  be  received.  He 
must  be  of  a  sound  mind,  serious,  and 
without  hope  of  temporal  advantage  or 
fear  of  temporal  hurt. 

8.  Testimony  given  under  oath   is  stronger 

than  that  not  given  under  oath.     This  is 


I30  STUDIES  IN  JOHN 

especially  true  of  those  who  are  afraid 
to  perjure  themselves  but  who  are  not 
afraid  to  lie. 
9.  The  testimony  of  a  dying  man  is  to  be 
regarded  in  the  main  as  that  of  a  man 
under  oath. 


Princeton 


